noun
cumulus
An accumulation of things in a pile.
A cumulus of discarded papers covered the desk.
Etymology
The Latin word already means a heap or pile. This sense retains the physical accumulation, without specializing the name to a cloud formation.
More examples
- The excavation uncovered a cumulus of stones.
- He described the accumulated debris as a cumulus.
- A dusty cumulus of old fabrics filled the corner.
Forms
cumulus · cumuli