The term lacunosus is from Latin, meaning "full of hollows".

[1][7] These gaps normally have frayed edges, and are often arranged in a manner that resembles a net or a honeycomb.

[1][7][8] Formation of this short-lived[6] phenomenon is commonly attributed to an overlying, cool layer of air mixing with an warmer atmospheric layer beneath.

[6][7][9][10] The term lacunosus is usually used to further define the species stratiformis, castellanus, or floccus.

[11] This results in the following combinations of species and variety denominations for Cirrocumulus lacunosus: Lacunosus must not be confused with the superficially similar cloud form cavum, a supplementary cloud feature also known as a fallstreak hole or as a hole punch.