Mountain
/ˈmaʊn.tən/noun
A large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising prominently above the surrounding land.
Did you know?English mountain came through Old French from Latin montānea, a form meaning “mountainous land,” ultimately from mons, the same ancient root behind words for high places and sacred heights.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“to project, jut out”
Latin
Latin
mons
“mountain, high hill”
Late Latin
Latin
montānea
“mountain land; mountainous region”
Old French
Old French
montaigne
“mountain”
Middle English
English
mountayne
“mountain”
Modern English
English
mountain
“a large natural elevation of the earth's surface”
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