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The Māori name for these cirrus clouds is iorangi, meaning strips (io) in the sky (rangi). The word ‘cirrus’ is derived from a Latin word meaning ‘wisp of hair’, and another meaning of ‘io’ is ‘lock of hair’. In English these clouds are known as mares’ tails.
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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
by Basil Keane
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