mount

¹

[ mount ]

verb (used with object)

1. to go up; climb; ascend:

   to mount stairs.

   Synonyms: scale

   Antonyms: descend

2. to get up on (a platform, a horse, etc.).
3. to set or place at an elevation:

   to mount a house on stilts.

4. to furnish with a horse or other animal for riding.
5. to set or place (a person) on horseback.
6. to organize, as an army.
7. to prepare and launch, as an attack or a campaign.
8. to raise or put into position for use, as a gun.
9. (of a fortress or warship) to have or carry (guns) in position for use.
10. to go or put on guard, as a sentry or watch.
11. to attach to or fix on or in a support, backing, setting, etc.:

    to mount a photograph; to mount a diamond in a ring.

12. to arrange for display:

    to mount a museum exhibit.

13. to provide (a play, musical comedy, opera, etc.) with scenery, costumes, and other equipment for production.
14. to prepare (an animal body or skeleton) as a specimen.
15. (of a male animal) to climb upon (a female) for copulation.
16. Microscopy.
    1. to prepare (a slide) for microscopic investigation.
    2. to prepare (a sample) for examination by a microscope, as by placing it on a slide.

verb (used without object)

1. to increase in amount or intensity (often followed by up ):

   The cost of all those small purchases mounts up.

2. to get up on the back of a horse or other animal for riding.
3. to rise or go to a higher position, level, degree, etc.; ascend:

   Synonyms: soar

4. to get up on something, as a platform.

noun

1. the act or a manner of mounting.
2. a horse, other animal, or sometimes a vehicle, as a bicycle, used, provided, or available for riding.

   Synonyms: palfrey, charger, steed, horse

3. an act or occasion of riding a horse, especially in a race.
4. a support, backing, setting, or the like, on or in which something is, or is to be, mounted or fixed.
5. an ornamental metal piece applied to a piece of wooden furniture.
6. Microscopy. a prepared slide.
7. a distinctive metal feature on a sheath or scabbard, as a locket or chape.
8. Philately. hinge ( def 4 ).
9. Printing. a wooden or metal block to which a plate is secured for printing.

mount

²

[ mount ]

noun

, Chiefly Literary.

1. a mountain: often used as part of a placename.

mount

¹

/ maʊnt /

verb

1. to go up (a hill, stairs, etc); climb
2. to get up on (a horse, a platform, etc)
3. introften foll byup io increase; accumulate

   excitement mounted

4. tr to fix onto a backing, setting, or support

   to mount a photograph

   to mount a slide

5. tr to provide with a horse for riding, or to place on a horse
6. (of male animals) to climb onto (a female animal) for copulation
7. tr to prepare (a play, musical comedy, etc) for production
8. tr to plan and organize (a compaign, an exhibition, etc)
9. tr military to prepare or launch (an operation)

   the Allies mounted an offensive

10. tr to prepare (a skeleton, dead animal, etc) for exhibition as a specimen
11. tr to place or carry (weapons) in such a position that they can be fired
12. mount guard
    See guard

noun

1. a backing, setting, or support onto which something is fixed
2. the act or manner of mounting
3. a horse for riding
4. a slide used in microscopy
5. philately
   1. a small transparent pocket in an album for a postage stamp
   2. another word for hinge

mount

²

/ maʊnt /

noun

1. a mountain or hill: used in literature and (when cap.) in proper names

   Mount Everest

2. (in palmistry) any of the seven cushions of flesh on the palm of the hand

Derived Forms

• ˈmounter, noun
• ˈmountable, adjective

Other Words From

• mounta·ble adjective
• mountless adjective
• un·mounta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mount¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English mounten, from Old French munter, monter, Vulgar Latin (unattested) montāre, derivative of Latin mont- (stem of mōns ) mount ²

Origin of mount²

First recorded before 900; Middle English mount(e), mont, munt(e), Old English munt “mount, hill, mountain,” from Latin mont- (inflectional stem of mōns ) “mountain, hill”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mount¹

C16: from Old French munter, from Vulgar Latin montāre (unattested) from Latin mons mount ²

Origin of mount²

Old English munt, from Latin mons mountain, but influenced in Middle English by Old French mont

Synonym Study

See climb.

Example Sentences

Volunteers for Steel and Tran have mounted labor-intensive campaigns to find those voters and get them to turn in their forms.

From Los Angeles Times

As cases continue to mount, the human and financial costs increase.

From Salon

However, the global economy is shifting rapidly, and pressure is mounting.

From BBC

They should use the state’s power and influence to mount a pro-environment offense, counteracting as much of the impending damage as possible.

From Los Angeles Times

Jordan said the California measure faced additional hurdles, including the short time supporters had to mount a campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fit
• install
• prepare
• produce
• set up
• stage