- mackerel sky
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an extensive group of cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds, esp. when well-marked in their arrangement: so called because of a resemblance to the scales on a mackerel.[1660-70]
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Universalium. 2010.
mackerel sky
Look at other dictionaries:
Mackerel sky — Mackerel Mack er*el, n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau (LL. macarellus), prob. for maclereau, fr. L. macula a spot, in allusion to the markings on the fish. See {Mail} armor.] (Zo[ o]l.) Any species of the genus {Scomber} of the family {Scombridae} … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
mackerel sky — n. A sky filled with rows of cirrocumulus or small altocumulus clouds. [WordNet 1.5] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
mackerel sky — n. a sky covered with rows of small, fleecy, cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds, suggesting the streaks on a mackerel s back … English World dictionary
mackerel sky — a type of altocumulus clouds, indicating moisture and instability; hence the saying Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, Never long wet and never long dry . Presumably named for the wavy pattern as seen on mackerel flanks … Dictionary of ichthyology
mackerel sky — sky dappled with small cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds that look like the markings of mackerel … English contemporary dictionary
mackerel sky — mack′erel sky′ n. mer a sky marked by cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds scattered like the markings on a mackerel s back • Etymology: 1660–70 … From formal English to slang
mackerel sky — noun Date: 1667 a sky covered with rows of altocumulus or cirrocumulus clouds resembling the patterns on a mackerel s back … New Collegiate Dictionary
mackerel sky — noun a sky filled with a regular pattern of altocumulus clouds somewhat resembling the skin of a mackerel … Wiktionary
mackerel sky — A condition in which there are rows of altocumulus or cirrocumulus clouds in the sky, which look like scales of a mackerel fish … Aviation dictionary
mackerel sky — noun a sky dappled with rows of small white fleecy (typically cirrocumulus) clouds, like the pattern on a mackerel s back … English new terms dictionary
mackerel sky — /mækərəl ˈskaɪ/ (say makuhruhl skuy) noun 1. sky nearly covered with high, small, white, fleecy clouds arranged in bands. 2. an extensive group of altocumulus clouds arranged in regular waves with blue sky showing in the gaps …
