mount
/maʊnt/
verb
Origin
Latin
mons — mountain
Overview
Meaning Now
- to climb up or ascend a structure, object, or animal
- to organize and launch a campaign, operation, or exhibition
- to set something in a fixed position for display or use
Literal older meaning
to climb or go up
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
monter
Earliest period
12th century
Journey
The word entered English following the Norman Conquest, reflecting the French 'monter'. Its usage expanded from physical climbing to the strategic 'mounting' of military defenses or complex operations by the 17th century.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
montare
“to climb, to mount”
Derived from 'mons' (mountain).
- Old French
monter
“to go up, ascend”
- Middle English
mounten
“to ascend, to climb”
Adopted into Middle English via French.
Connections
Word parts
mount
root
to climb or ascend
Related across languages
French
monter
to go up
Italian
montare
to climb
Spanish
montar
to mount, to ride
Explore next
Related to mount
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.