/ ˈmaʊntən; NAmE ˈmaʊntn/ noun
1.
a very high hill, often with rocks near the top :
a chain / range of mountains
to climb a mountain
We spent a week walking in the mountains .
to enjoy the mountain air / scenery
mountain roads / streams / villages
a mountain rescue team
2.
mountain of sth ( informal ) a very large amount or number of sth :
a mountain of work
We made mountains of sandwiches.
the problem of Europe's butter mountain (= the large amount of butter that has to be stored because it is not needed)
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IDIOMS
- make a mountain out of a molehill
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French montaigne , based on Latin mons , mont- mountain.