mont-, mount-

1. Abbreviated as, Mt. or Mtn.; a natural elevation of the earth's surface having considerable mass, generally steep sides, and a height greater than that of a hill.
2. A natural elevation of the earth's surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill, usually greater than 2000 ft. (610 m).
3. A large heap: a mountain of laundry; a huge quantity: a mountain of trouble.

1. Someone who climbs mountains for sport.
2. A mountain inhabitant or someone who lives in a mountainous area.

1. Abounding in mountains; such as, "a mountainous wilderness".
2. Of the nature of a mountain.
3. Resembling a mountain or mountains, as being very large and high: "The storm caused mountainous waves that destroyed the beach area."

1. Containing many mountains.
2. Resembling a mountain; huge.

Translation: "A dwarf is not tall, even though he stand on a mountain; a colossus keeps his height, even though he stand in a well."

From Seneca, Ad Lucilium Epis (c. A.D. 65).

1. To overcome an obstacle, for example; to conquer or to deal with a difficulty successfully: Jane’s new year’s resolution was to lose weight and so she surmounted the urge to eat her favorite desserts, like chocolate ice cream, cake, and cookies.
2. To ascend to the top of; to climb; to get over the top of a physical obstacle: It was the first time for Lynn to go hiking in the Alps, but she was able to surmount and master the strain, hindrances, and hazards that accompanied the task of reaching the top of the peak.
3. To place something above; to put on top; that is, to be above or on top of: The mountain of Marburg is surmounted by the Marburger Schloss, which is a very old castle, built in the 11th century.
4. To surpass or to exceed in an amount or quantity: Mark loved reading and the quantity of books that he bought during the year surmounted the number he had obtained the year before; however, he read all of them! © ALL rights are reserved.
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1. Capable of being overcome: The new immigrant family thought that all the difficulties and obstacles, including the new language, were surmountable and could be mastered.
2. Possible to climb to the top: Jack and Jill decided that the mountain in their area was surmountable, and so they started their hike the following day!

1. Relating to a thing or action being equivalent, as in value, force, effect, outcome, or signification; also referring to something unpleasant: Don's angry speech was tantamount to his resignation as CEO of the company.

If something is tantamount to something else, it is the same or equal to it; such as, a man's silence was tantamount to an admission that he stole the purse from Sara.

Shirley responded with a facial expression that was tantamount to a refusal to go out with Richard when he asked her if she would go to a movie with him.

2. Etymology: from Latin tantus; from tam, "so" + amonter, "amount to, go up"; from Latin ad-, "to" + montem, "mountain". © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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