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

A factsheet published by the White House revealed that Switzerland agreed to recognise US vehicle safety norms, raising questions over whether the polarising cars will soon be a fixture of the country's alpine roads.

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He visited every bookshop that carried melancholy German poetry in translation, and every art gallery that showed sentimental watercolors of mountain lakes and alpine meadows.

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But instead of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, the illustrations showed crystal-blue alpine lakes and edelweiss-covered meadows populated with snow larks, mountain hares, and other wildlife of that Swiss ilk.

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Not only that, but the foldout map was so charmingly decorated with pretty alpine meadows, it was impossible to read the street names.

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This alpine species is under severe pressure from climate change.

Read more on Science Daily

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.