Definition of the word surmount

The word "surmount" originated in Middle English during the 14th century, derived from the French word "surmonter," which means "to overcome" or "conquer." The prefix "sur-" in French indicates something that exceeds, goes beyond, or surpasses others. In Latin, the root word for "surmount" is " supersumere," which combines "super" (meaning "above" or "over") and "sumere" (meaning "to take" or "to collect"). This Latin root is also the origin of the English word "super" as a prefix meaning "above," "over," or "beyond." The meaning of "surmount" in Middle English was to overcome or exceed something, typically in a physical or spatial sense. For example, one could "surmount a cliff," meaning to climb over it, or "surmount a mountain," meaning to reach its summit. Over time, the meaning of "surmount" has broadened to include overcoming obstacles or challenges, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional. In summary, the word "surmount" comes from Middle English, where it was derived from the French word "surmonter" and has its linguistic root in Latin " supersumere." Its original meaning was to go beyond or climb over something, and its usage has evolved to represent overcoming challenges more broadly.