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

The latter is situated in front of Monte Fusara, and the entrance to it is evidently the crater of an extinct monticule.

From Etna A History of the Mountain and of its Eruptions by Rodwell, G. F.

Pursuing our way, with the restored ruin of the Castelvieil above us on its "monticule" overlooking the Orphanage, we were soon in a narrower part of the valley, with the wooded slopes on either side.

From Twixt France and Spain by Bilbrough, E. Ernest

You have read Dufrenoy in a hurry, I think, and added to the difficulty—it is the whole hill or "colline" which is composed of tuff with cross-stratification; the central boss or "monticule" is simply trachyte.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

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