1 a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level; a large or high and steep hill.
2 a large heap or pile; a huge quantity (a mountain of work).
3 a large surplus stock of a commodity (butter mountain).
Phrases and idioms:
make a mountain out of a molehill see MOLEHILL. mountain ash
1 a tree, Sorbus aucuparia, with delicate pinnate leaves and scarlet berries: also called ROWAN.
2 any of several Australian eucalypts. mountain chain a connected series of mountains. mountain goat a white goatlike animal, Oreamnos americanus, of the Rocky Mountains etc. mountain laurel a N. American shrub, Kalmia latifolia. mountain lion a puma. mountain panther = OUNCE(2). mountain range a line of mountains connected by high ground. mountain sickness a sickness caused by the rarefaction of the air at great heights. Mountain Time US the standard time of parts of Canada and the US in or near the Rocky Mountains.
move mountains
1 achieve spectacular results.
2 make every possible effort.
Derivatives:
mountainy adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF montaigne ult. f. L (as MOUNT(2))
Useful english dictionary. 2012.