promontory

[ prom-uhn-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
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noun,plural prom·on·to·ries.
  1. a high point of land or rock projecting into the sea or other water beyond the line of coast; a headland.

  2. a bluff, or part of a plateau, overlooking a lowland.

  1. Anatomy. a prominent or protuberant part.

Origin of promontory

1
First recorded in 1540–50, promontory is from the Latin word prōmontorium, prōmunturium, of unclear derivation

Words that may be confused with promontory

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British Dictionary definitions for promontory

promontory

/ (ˈprɒməntərɪ, -trɪ) /


nounplural -ries
  1. a high point of land, esp of rocky coast, that juts out into the sea

  2. anatomy any of various projecting structures

Origin of promontory

1
C16: from Latin prōmunturium headland; related to prōminēre; see prominent

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

Scientific definitions for promontory

promontory

[ prŏmən-tôr′ē ]


  1. A high ridge of land or a rock cliff jutting out into a body of water.

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