word-forming element meaning "like or of the nature of cumulus clouds," 1887, from cumulus. Cumulo-stratus is from 1803; Cumulo-nimbus is attested by 1859.
Entries linking to cumulo-
cumulus n.
1650s, "a heap," from Latin cumulus "a heap, pile, mass, surplus," from PIE *ku-m-olo-, suffixed shortened form of root *keue- "to swell." Meteorological use for "rounded mass of clouds, snowy white at the top with a darker, horizontal base" is attested by 1803.
cumulous adj.
in reference to clouds, "of the nature of cumulus clouds," 1815, see cumulo- + -ous.