What exactly is a mountain?

According to the movie: The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain a mountain should be at least 1000 ft. tall (at least in Wales). The film did not address prominence, but the eminence did have some prominence with respect to the village.

It depends on whether you're asking someone from Missouri or someone from Nepal.

On the internet, a controversial topic that was formerly a mole hill. Examples may be found on this forum.

Seriously, I'll suggest the definition is in the eye of the beholder. If a prominent geographical feature is impressive and inspires the viewer with its size, prominence, steepness, beauty, etc. compared to the surroundings, then it's a mountain. If it does not then a less grand term is often applied.

Oxford English Dictionary:
mountain - A large natural elevation of the earth's surface, esp. one high and steep in form (larger and higher than a hill) and with a summit of relatively small area.

Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictioinary:
mountain - a land mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill.

desainme wrote:According to the movie: The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain a mountain should be at least 1000 ft. tall (at least in Wales). The film did not address prominence, but the eminence did have some prominence with respect to the village.

That's good information for humans. What is a mountain to say...a box turtle?

Scott wrote:It depends on whether you're asking someone from Missouri or someone from Nepal.

I just met a man from Missouri. He stayed at my house for a few weeks, the father of my roommate. The Missouri high point is Taum Sauk Mtn. 1,772' btw.
What is a mountain to a cat?

Woodswalker wrote:Oxford English Dictionary:
mountain - A large natural elevation of the earth's surface, esp. one high and steep in form (larger and higher than a hill) and with a summit of relatively small area.

Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictioinary:
mountain - a land mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill.

This begs the question, "what is a hill?". The answer, of course, is a land mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is lower than a mountain.

"Mountain" will never be a well-defined term. There'd be no use trying, since any attempt at a definition would have compelling counter-arguments.

To a cat a box turtle is a hill and a galapagos tortoise is a mountain.

Tonka wrote:To a cat a box turtle is a hill and a galapagos tortoise is a mountain.

To a cat a box turtle is a softball and a galapagos is a big thing with a shell that moves around...once in a while.

surgent wrote:

Woodswalker wrote:Oxford English Dictionary:
mountain - A large natural elevation of the earth's surface, esp. one high and steep in form (larger and higher than a hill) and with a summit of relatively small area.

Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictioinary:
mountain - a land mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill.

This begs the question, "what is a hill?". The answer, of course, is a land mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is lower than a mountain.

"Mountain" will never be a well-defined term. There'd be no use trying, since any attempt at a definition would have compelling counter-arguments.

You can define anything to the inth degree with language and still it just is what it is. Utterly beyond definition.

A mountain is anything you have climbed. A hill is something your friend climbed.

Kinda like a tough scramble. If you did it, it was Class 5. If everyone else did it, it was Class 3.

Bob Sihler wrote:A mountain is anything you have climbed. A hill is something your friend climbed.

Kinda like a tough scramble. If you did it, it was Class 5. If everyone else did it, it was Class 3.

Jeez Bob, can't a mountain be something nice to look at from the road too dude?

Woodswalker wrote:Oxford English Dictionary:
mountain - A large natural elevation of the earth's surface, esp. one high and steep in form (larger and higher than a hill) and with a summit of relatively small area.

Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictioinary:
mountain - a land mass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill.

Nail it! Happy to roll with that.
What is a mountain to a cloud?