sərˈmau̇nt transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English surmounten, from Middle French sourmonter, from sour- sur- + monter to rise, mount — more at mount
1.
a. obsolete : to surpass in quality or attainment : excel
kings courts surmount poor shepherds cells — Francis Quarles
b. archaic : to exceed in amount or magnitude : amount to more than
their increment surmounts daily their decrease — Matthew Hale
2. : to rise above or surpass in height
extinct volcanic centers surmount them near the core of the plateau — Journal of Geology
3. : to rise superior to : get the better of : prevail over : overcome
surmount an obstacle
surmount an aversion
surmount a temptation
4. obsolete : surpass 3
thy thoughts of love to me surmount the power of number to recount — John Wesley
5. : to climb over : get to the top of and over : mount and cross to the other side of
surmount one crag after another
6.
a. : to stand or lie at the top of : remain on the top of : crown , top
a cross surmounts the steeple
the house … surmounts a knoll — American Guide Series: New York City
b. : to place above so as to cover partly another heraldic charge
a silver crane on a gules shield, surmounted by a crown — M.B.Grosvenor
Synonyms: see conquer