Sierra
/siหษrษ/noun
A mountain range or a series of peaks.
Did you know?The term 'Sierra' comes from the Spanish word for 'saw', evoking the jagged shape of mountain ridges that resemble serrated edges.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
serra
โa saw, a tool for cutting, reflecting the jagged nature of mountain ranges.โ
Old Spanish
Old Spanish
sierra
โa saw, often used metaphorically for mountain ranges because of their serrated appearance.โ
16th Century
Spanish
sierra
โused to describe mountain formations resembling the teeth of a saw.โ
Modern English
English
sierra
โadopted into English to denote a mountain range, especially in the context of the Sierra Nevada.โ
Explore more surprising origins