monticule

American  

[mon-ti-kyool] / ˈmɒn tɪˌkyul /

noun

1. a subordinate volcanic cone.

2. a small mountain, hill, or mound.

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monticule British  

/ ˈmɒntɪˌkjuːl /

noun

1. a small hill or mound, such as a secondary volcanic cone

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monticule Scientific  

/ mŏn′tĭ-kyo̅o̅l′ /

1. A minor cone of a volcano.

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Other Word Forms

• monticulate adjective
• monticulous adjective

Etymology

Origin of monticule

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Late Latin monticulus, equivalent to Latin monti- (stem of mōns “mountain”) + -culus diminutive noun suffix. See mount ², -cle ¹

Explanation

Monticule is a fancy word for a small hill or mound. Mount Everest is definitely not a monticule, but that pile of snow left by a snowplow in the parking lot certainly qualifies! Monticule entered English around 1800 from the Latin monticulus, which combines monti-, "mountain," with the diminutive suffix -culus, "small." Originally, it described a small, secondary cone of a volcano. Today, it's often used more generally — or even humorously — to describe any minor elevation, even a bump: "The sudden collision with the open cupboard door caused a painful monticule to arise on her forehead."

Example Sentences

A few kilometres further on we reached the "bizarre monticule," from which sprouted a still more bizarre château.

From The Princess Passes by Williamson, A. M. (Alice Muriel)

The latter contents himself with telling us, that it is a very low hillock, un tres bas monticule.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 15 Forming A Complete History Of The Origin And Progress Of Navigation, Discovery, And Commerce, By Sea And Land, From The Earliest Ages To The Present Time by Kerr, Robert

Le fond du port est occupé par un monticule qui laisse entre lui, et la mer une plage de sable.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 15 Forming A Complete History Of The Origin And Progress Of Navigation, Discovery, And Commerce, By Sea And Land, From The Earliest Ages To The Present Time by Kerr, Robert

There is the ascent to Superbagnères, an easy monticule overshading Luchon, whose view is ranked with that from the Bergonz.

From A Midsummer Drive Through the Pyrenees by Dix, Edwin Asa

Une petite riviere, de très bonne eau, coule à la mer dans cet endroit; & elle est fournie par un lac qui est un peu au loin, au dessus du monticule.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 15 Forming A Complete History Of The Origin And Progress Of Navigation, Discovery, And Commerce, By Sea And Land, From The Earliest Ages To The Present Time by Kerr, Robert