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View synonyms for arete

arete

1

[ahr-i-tey]

noun

  1. the aggregate of qualities, as valor and virtue, making up good character.

    Our greatest national heroes not only did extraordinary things, but had enormous arete.



arête

2

[uh-reyt]

noun

Physical Geography, Geology.
  1. a sharp rugged mountain ridge, produced by glaciation.

arête

/ əˈrɛt, əˈreɪt /

noun

  1. a sharp ridge separating two cirques or glacial valleys in mountainous regions

“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

arête

  1. A sharp, narrow ridge or spur commonly found above the snow line in mountainous areas that have been sculpted by glaciers. Arêtes form as the result of the continued backward erosion of adjoining cirques.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of arete1

First recorded in 1550–70; from Greek aretḗ “excellence, virtue”

Origin of arete2

First recorded in 1860–65; from French: literally, “fishbone, ridge, bridge (of the nose),” from Old French areste “sharp ridge,” from Latin arista “ear of grain (wheat), awn”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of arete1

C19: from French: fishbone, backbone (of a fish), ridge, sharp edge, from Latin arista ear of corn, fishbone

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