Etymology Map
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Mount

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to climb up; to set in place

Where does the word "mount" come from? It comes from Latin mons, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
mons
Latin · ancient
"mountain"
the root of 'mountain' and 'promontory'
2
Stage 2 of 3
monter
Old French · medieval
"to climb"
'to mount' a horse means to climb it
3
Stage 3 of 3
mount
English · 1300s
"to climb"
'mount' as a mountain name, as in Mount Everest, keeps the Latin sense
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Read the full story

Mount’s story begins in Latin: mons meant “mountain.” The root of 'mountain' and 'promontory'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as monter. 'to mount' a horse means to climb it. It reached English by 1300s as mount. 'mount' as a mountain name, as in Mount Everest, keeps the Latin sense. Today, mount means to climb up; to set in place.