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surmounter

 - 2 dictionary results

sur⋅mount

[ser-mount]
–verb (used with object)
1. to mount upon; get on the top of; mount upon and cross over: to surmount a hill.
2. to get over or across (barriers, obstacles, etc.).
3. to prevail over: to surmount tremendous difficulties.
4. to be on top of or above: a statue surmounting a pillar.
5. to furnish with something placed on top or above: to surmount a tower with a spire.
6. Obsolete.
a. to surpass in excellence.
b. to exceed in amount.

Origin:
1325–75; ME surmounten < AF surmounter, MF. See sur- 1 , mount 1


sur⋅mount⋅a⋅ble, adjective
sur⋅mount⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun
sur⋅mount⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To surmounter
sur·mount   (sər-mount')   
tr.v.   sur·mount·ed, sur·mount·ing, sur·mounts
  1. To overcome (an obstacle, for example); conquer.

  2. To ascend to the top of; climb.

    1. To place something above; top.

    2. To be above or on top of: The church steeple surmounts the square.

  3. Obsolete To surpass or exceed in amount.


[Middle English surmonten, from Old French surmonter : sur-, sur- + monter, to mount; see mount1.]
sur·mount'a·ble adj., sur·mount'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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