alpine

[al-pahyn, -pin]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, on, or part of any lofty mountain.

2. very high; elevated.

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

4. Botany.,  growing on mountains above the limit of tree growth.

   alpine plants.

5. Often Alpine of or relating to downhill skiing or a competitive downhill skiing event.

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

noun

1. Anthropology.,  Alpine, (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.

alpine

¹

/ ˈælpaɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to high mountains

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

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

4. 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

Alpine

²

/ ˈælpaɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Alps or their inhabitants

2. geology

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

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

alpine

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

Other Word Forms

• alpinely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of alpine¹

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

Example Sentences

Many had spent weeks along the John Muir Trail, a 200-mile traverse through some of the most rugged and spectacular high alpine terrain in the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

Losing Blatten, and the prospect of losing others like it, has made many Swiss ask themselves how many of those alpine traditions could disappear.

From BBC

The gas guzzling cars are too big for alpine roads, US cheese and chocolate…well, let's just say they're not really to Swiss taste.

From BBC

Higher temperatures in the Adriatic Sea are encouraging invasive species such as the poisonous lionfish, while also causing further stress on alpine glaciers that are already shrinking at record rates.

From BBC

Ms Brigantino, who was visiting the popular alpine lake between California and Nevada with friends from Texas and California, watched as boats crashed into each other, ripping from their anchors and smashing onto shore.

From BBC

When To Use

What is Alpine skiing?

Alpine is a classification in the sport of skiing that specifically refers to forms of what’s sometimes also called downhill skiing—events that take place on a downhill course with the objective of crossing the finish line in the shortest possible amount of time.The terms Alpine and Alpine skiing are used in contrast with Nordic and Nordic skiing, which includes cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Both alpine and nordic are sometimes left uncapitalized.Alpine events include the slalom, the giant slalom, the super giant slalom (popularly called Super G)—all of which involve a course marked by poles or gates—as well as the event straightforwardly known as downhill, which takes place on a relatively straight downhill course (without gates).All of these are events in the Winter Olympics, grouped under the category officially called Alpine Skiing. There are also Alpine skiing events in the Paralympic Winter Games.The skis used in Alpine skiing differ from those used in Nordic skiing in shape, size, and structure.Example: Of all the Alpine events at the Winter Olympics, my favorite is giant slalom.