Plain English Meaning

Cirriform describes the family of high, thin, icy clouds that look like wisps, streaks, or fine veils across the upper sky.

Full Definition

A descriptive term for clouds that are thin, wispy, and composed primarily of ice crystals, forming at high altitudes — typically above 20,000 feet. Cirriform clouds include cirrus, cirrocumulus, and cirrostratus, and are characterized by their fibrous or hair-like appearance.

Context Anchor

Seen in weather reports, cloud descriptions, and aviation weather study when identifying high, wispy cloud types.

Derivation

From the Latin cirrus, meaning 'a curl' or 'tuft of hair,' plus the suffix -form, meaning 'shaped like.' So cirriform literally means 'shaped like a curl or wisp of hair' — which matches how these clouds look spread thinly across the upper atmosphere.