alpine

[ al-pahyn, -pin ]
See synonyms for alpine on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of, pertaining to, on, or part of any lofty mountain.

  2. very high; elevated.

  1. Alpine, of, pertaining to, on, or part of the Alps.

  2. Botany. growing on mountains above the limit of tree growth: alpine plants.

  3. Often Alpine . of or relating to downhill skiing or a competitive downhill skiing event.: Compare Nordic (def. 3).

  4. Alpine, Anthropology. (no longer in technical use) having the features characteristic of an Alpine.

noun
  1. Alpine, Anthropology. (no longer in technical use) a member of a Caucasoid people found in central Europe and characterized by heavy body build, medium complexion, and straight to wavy hair.

Origin of alpine

1
First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Alpīnus, equivalent to Alp(ēs) (plural) “the Alps” + -īnus adjective suffix; see -ine1

Other words from alpine

  • al·pine·ly, adverb

Words Nearby alpine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use alpine in a sentence

  • In an ordinary alpine region the névé districts, where the snow gathers, are relatively small.

    Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
  • Passage over it is often one of the most difficult feats to accomplish which the alpine explorer has to undertake.

    Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
  • In Europe it extended to the alpine region, but failed to reach the countries bordering on the Mediterranean.

    Man And His Ancestor | Charles Morris
  • There are also a number of alpine species suitable for rockeries, such as C. alpina, caucasica, caespitosa and others.

  • Bud walked at least a rod toward alpine before he swung short around in his tracks and started the other way.

    Cabin Fever | B. M. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for alpine (1 of 2)

alpine

/ (ˈælpaɪn) /


adjective
  1. of or relating to high mountains

  2. (of plants) growing on mountains, esp above the limit for tree growth

  1. connected with or used in mountaineering in medium-sized glaciated mountain areas such as the Alps

  2. skiing of or relating to racing events on steep prepared slopes, such as the slalom and downhill: Compare nordic

noun
  1. a plant that is native or suited to alpine conditions

British Dictionary definitions for Alpine (2 of 2)

Alpine

/ (ˈælpaɪn) /


adjective
  1. of or relating to the Alps or their inhabitants

  2. geology

    • of or relating to an episode of mountain building in the Tertiary period during which the Alps were formed

    • of or relating to a high mountainous environment heavily modified by glacial erosion

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for alpine

alpine

[ ălpīn′ ]


  1. Resembling or characteristic of the European Alps or any other high mountain system, especially one that has been shaped by intense glacial erosion.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.