from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Surmount \Sur*mount"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Surmounted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Surmounting}.] [OE. sourmounten, OF. surmonter,
sormonter, F. surmonter; sur over + monter to mount. See
{Sur-}, and {Mount}, v. i.]
1. To rise above; to be higher than; to overtop.
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The mountains of Olympus, Athos, and Atlas,
overreach and surmount all winds and clouds. --Sir
W. Raleigh.
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2. To conquer; to overcome; as, to surmount difficulties or
obstacles. --Macaulay.
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3. To surpass; to exceed. --Spenser.
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What surmounts the reach
Of human sense I shall delineate. --Milton.
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Syn: To conquer; overcome; vanquish; subdue; surpass; exceed.
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