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Webster 1913 Edition
Alp
Alp
,Noun.
[L.
Alpes
the Alps, said to be of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. alp
a high mountain, Ir. ailp
any huge mass or lump: cf. F. Alpes
.] 1.
A very high mountain. Specifically, in the plural, the highest chain of mountains in Europe, containing the lofty mountains of Switzerland, etc.
Nor breath of vernal air from snowy
alp
. Milton.
Hills peep o’er hills, and
alps
on alps
arise. Pope.
2.
Fig.: Something lofty, or massive, or very hard to be surmounted.
☞ The plural form Alps is sometimes used as a singular. “The Alps doth spit.”
Shak.
Alp
,Noun.
A bullfinch.
Rom. of R.
Webster 1828 Edition
Alp
ALP
, ALPS,Noun.
A high mountain. The name, it is supposed, was originally given to mountains whose tops were covered with snow, and hence appropriately applied to the mountains of Swisserland; so that by Alps is generally understood the latter mountains. But geographers apply the name to any high mountains.