| Definitions | | cloud nine |
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noun
- (idiom) a state of happiness, elation or bliss; often used in the phrase on cloud nine.
- He was on for days after she agreed to marry him.
Translations: - French: septième Ciel
- German: Wolke sieben
- Italian: settimo cielo
- Spanish: séptimo cielo
Etymology: The popular etymology references the 1896 edition of the International Cloud Atlas which defined ten types of cloud. The ninth cloud was the cumulo-nimbus rising to a height of 10 km, which is the highest a cloud can be. There is, however, no evidence for this.The 1960 print of the Dictionary of American Slang (Wentworth & Flexner) includes "cloud seven", the usage of which seems to predate "cloud nine" by a few years. Other etymolgies reference Buddhist or Christian lore, and even Dante"s Divine Comedy, but again there are no reasons to prefer these versions.
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