Alps
[alps]
- a mountain range in S Europe, extending from France through Switzerland and Italy into Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia. Highest peak, Mont Blanc, 15,781 feet (4810 meters).
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alp
[alp]
- a high mountain.
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Origin of alp
First recorded in 1635–1645; back formation from Alps
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for alps
Contemporary Examples
Their vista of the snow-capped Andes suggests the Bavarian alps and the view from Berchtesgaden.
Then I realized [we were] outside of Italy when I recognized the Alps.
Subirer, for example, is a small bitter pear that grows in the Alps, near Lech.
And so the world was shocked and saddened to hear about his severe brain injury in the Alps last Sunday morning.
Brain Bleed: Why Michael Schumacher’s Helmet Wasn’t EnoughDr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad
January 3, 2014
They must judge wisely and they must judge roundly—they must judge the alps of junk straight out of existence.
Historical Examples
When she was at the summit of the Alps of fashion, she saw how little was to be seen.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
To climb the Alps was the most difficult part of his long journey.
Introductory American HistoryHenry Eldridge Bourne
His lip curled once at the conceit that he was one of the Alps himself.
The Market-PlaceHarold Frederic
From the summit, when the air is clear, there are beautiful views of the Alps.
Italy, the Magic LandLilian Whiting
I wish I could see a chance of your crossing the Alps—is it on the cards?
Alps
- a mountain range in S central Europe, extending over 1000 km (650 miles) from the Mediterranean coast of France and NW Italy through Switzerland, N Italy, and Austria to Slovenia. Highest peak: Mont Blanc, 4807 m (15 771 ft)
- a range of mountains in the NW quadrant of the moon, which is cut in two by a straight fracture, the Alpine Valley
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alp
- (in the European Alps) an area of pasture above the valley bottom but below the mountain peaks
- a high mountain
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See also Alps, Australian Alps
Word Origin
C14: back formation from Alps, from French Alpes (pl), from Latin Alpēs, from Greek Alpeis
ALP
- Australian Labor Party
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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
Word Origin and History for alps
Alps
see Alp.
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alp
n.
1590s, "any high, snow-capped mountain," from Alps, from French Alpes, from Latin Alpes "the Alps," perhaps from altus "high," or albus "white" or from a Celtic word (according to Servius), or a pre-Indo-European root. Alps, the European mountain range, attested by that name in English from 1550s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Alps
Mountain system of south-central Europe.
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Note
The Alps provide scenic beauty and the location for an abundance of winter sports, making them a popular tourist destination.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.