Deeper Dive: hill

Hill, noun [OE. hil, hul, AS. hyll; akin to OD. hille, hil, L. collis, and prob. to E. haulm, holm, and column. Cf. 2d Holm.]

1. A natural elevation of land, or a mass of earth rising above the common level of the surrounding land; an eminence less than a mountain.

Every mountain and hill shall be made low. Is. xl. 4.

2. The earth raised about the roots of a plant or cluster of plants. [U. S.] See Hill, transitive verb

3. A single cluster or group of plants growing close together, and having the earth heaped up about them; as, a hill of corn or potatoes. [U. S.]

Hill ant (Zool.), a common ant (Formica rufa), of Europe and America, which makes mounds or ant-hills over its nests.

Hill myna (Zool.), one of several species of birds of India, of the genus Gracula, and allied to the starlings. They are easily taught to speak many words. [Written also hill mynah.] See Myna.

Hill partridge (Zool.), a partridge of the genus Aborophila, of which numerous species in habit Southern Asia and the East Indies.

Hill tit (Zool.), one of numerous species of small Asiatic singing birds of the family Leiotrichidæ. Many are beautifully colored.

Hill, transitive verb [imperfect or past participle Hilled; present participle or verbal noun Hilling.] To surround with earth; to heap or draw earth around or upon; as, to hill corn.

Showing them how to plant and hill it. Palfrey.

-- Websters 1913




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