hogback

[ hawg-bak, hog- ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a long, sharply crested ridge, generally formed of steeply inclined strata that are especially resistant to erosion.

hogback

/ ˈhɒɡˌbæk /

noun

1. Also calledhog's back a narrow ridge that consists of steeply inclined rock strata
2. archaeol a Saxon or Scandinavian tomb with sloping sides

Word History and Origins

Origin of hogback¹

First recorded in 1655–65; hog + back ¹

Example Sentences

The slides are separated by hogbacks that block views up and down the gulch.

From Washington Times

And in the Viking Age, large carved stones called hogbacks, used to mark graves, have been found carved with bears.

From BBC

On the latter, it was the hogback, a section of road about two miles long with sheer drop-offs of more than 1,000 feet on both sides.

From Washington Post

The collection consists of 31 medieval stones carved in the Viking era, including carved crosses and five Viking hogback stones.

From BBC

Coming out of the river bottoms, I scatted up a long hogback ridge, and broke out on top in the flats.

From Literature

Related Words

• height
• peak
• ridge