/ səˈmaʊnt; NAmE sərˈm-/ verb [ vn ] ( formal )
1.
to deal successfully with a difficulty
SYN overcome :
She was well aware of the difficulties that had to be surmounted.
2.
[ usually passive ] to be placed on top of sth :
a high column surmounted by a statue
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (also in the sense surpass, be superior to ): from Old French surmonter (from sur- and the verb mount ).