mountain

plural mountains

1. countableAn elevation of land of considerable dimensions rising more or less abruptly, forming a conspicuous figure in the landscape, usually having a small extent of surface at its summit.First known use 12th c.

   Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

   5 more examples

   We spent the weekend hiking in the mountains.

   We collected plant specimens from mountain meadows above 2000 meters.

   My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jeremiah 50:6

   Wherever a geologist directs his attention in the midst of a scene of mountains, traces of ruin and decay always meet his eye; and the lofty prominences of our globe, supposed to be the most permanent of nature's works, every where display unequivocal marks of the lapse and effects of time.

   1807, Joseph Wilson, “Preliminary Observations”, in A History of Mountains, Geographical and Mineralogical, volume 1, London: Nicol, White, Faulders & Asperne, pages xlvi–xlvii

   We walk’d together on the crown Of a high mountain which look’d down Afar from its proud natural towers Of rock and forest, on the hills— […]

   1829, Edgar Allan Poe, “Tamerlane”, in Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems

   Synonyms: mount

2. countableSomething very large in size or quantity; a huge amount; a great heap.First known use 15th c.

   There's still a mountain of work to do.

   2 more examples

   He was a real mountain of a man, standing seven feet tall.

   Iraq says the mountain of documentation it has provided to the United Nations shows it is innocent of harbouring weapons of mass destruction. America continues to maintain that it has evidence that this is a pack of lies.

   2002 December 9, “A Mountain of Lies?”, in The Economist

3. countablefigurativelyuncountableA difficult task or challenge.

   Five minutes into the game the Black Cats were facing a mountain, partly because of West Brom's newly-found ruthlessness in front of goal but also as a result of the home side's defensive generosity.

   2011 October 1, Phil Dawkes, “Sunderland 2 - 2 West Brom”, in BBC Sport

4. historicaluncountableWine from Malaga made from grapes that grow on a mountain.First known use 18th c.

   Called on Courtenay, with whom I walked to Hampstead Heath, and got into excellent spirits, enjoying fine fresh air; then dined with him tête-a-tête on mutton broth and mackerel and drank mountain and old port moderately.

   1785-1789, James Boswell, The English Experiment (diaries)

   Synonyms: barrow, berg, berry, pike

5. countableslangA woman's large breast.
6. countableuncountablecartomancyThe twenty-first Lenormand card.

plural Mountains

1. A placename:
   1. countableuncountableA minor city in Pembina County, North Dakota, United States.
   2. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Ritchie County, West Virginia, United States, originally named Mole Hill.
   3. countableuncountableA town and census-designated place therein, in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States.
   4. countableuncountableA number of townships in the United States, listed under Mountain Township.
   5. countableuncountableA rural municipality in western Manitoba, Canada; in full, the Rural Municipality of Mountain.
   6. countableuncountableA hamlet near Queensbury, Metropolitan Borough of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England (OS grid ref SE0930).
2. countableA surname.
3. countablehistoricaluncountablewith definite articleThe Montagnard party in the time of the French Revolution.

plural Mountains

1. rail transportA steam locomotive of the 4-8-2 wheel arrangement.

   Western Pacific wisely devoted its design energies to the articulateds which produced most of its gross, left the 4-6-0's that came with the road plus a few secondhand Florida East Coast Mountains for its sparse passenger service.

   1959, David P. Morgan, editor, Steam's Finest Hour, Kalmbach Publishing Co., page 106

1. historicalobsoleteFormer name of Mountain Province: A huge province in the Cordilleras composed of the subprovinces of Apayao, Amburayan, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Lepanto-Bontoc.