Caelometer

/siːˈɒlɒmɪtər/ noun

Definition

A scientific instrument used to measure the height of clouds above the Earth's surface.

Etymology

From Latin caelum (sky, heaven) + Greek -metron (measure). The instrument was developed in the 19th century as meteorology became a more precise science.

Kelly Says

Early caelometers used light beams and geometry to calculate cloud height, but modern ones use lasers and computers—yet the basic principle of measuring the sky remains poetically the same.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.