Hillock: meaning, definitions and examples

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hillock

 

[ ˈhɪlək ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

small elevation

A hillock is a small mound or hill, usually lower in height than a hill. It is often found in a landscape as a gentle slope or rise in the ground.

Synonyms

eminence, knoll, mound, rise.

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Word Description / Examples
hillock

A small hill or a natural elevation of the earth's surface, often used in a rural or pastoral setting.

  • The sheep grazed on the hillock.
  • She sat on a hillock overlooking the valley.
mound

A small heap, pile, or elevation, often man-made or referring to a specific shape, used in both natural and artificial contexts.

  • The archaeologists uncovered an ancient burial mound.
  • There was a mound of earth at the construction site.
knoll

A small, rounded hill, often used in descriptions of natural landscapes, commonly seen in literature or nature writing.

  • They picnicked on a sunny knoll.
  • The children rolled down the grassy knoll.
rise

A gentle slope or an increase in elevation, generally used in a broader range of contexts, including geography, finance, or metaphorically.

  • They walked up the gentle rise.
  • The gradual rise in prices worried the consumers.
eminence

A higher and more distinguished elevation, usually implying importance or significance, often used in formal or literary contexts.

  • The castle was built on a rocky eminence.
  • He reached the eminence of his career.

Examples of usage

  • The children played on the hillock in the park.
  • The shepherd led his sheep to graze on the hillock.
  • The artist painted a beautiful landscape with a hillock in the distance.
Context #2 | Noun

hummock of ice

In polar regions, a hillock can refer to a small hummock of ice on a frozen sea or glacier. These hillocks may vary in size and shape, and are formed by the movement of ice.

Synonyms

ice hummock, ice knoll, ice mound.

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Word Description / Examples
hillock

A hillock is a small natural hill or mound, often rounded. It's commonly found in rural or natural settings and doesn't imply any man-made formation.

  • The children enjoyed rolling down the gentle slope of the hillock.
  • Wildflowers were blooming on the sides of the hillock.
ice hummock

An ice hummock refers to a ridge or mound formed by the irregular piling up of ice. It is usually used in the context of frozen lakes, seas, or other icy environments.

  • The explorers navigated cautiously around the ice hummocks.
  • Seal pups were seen resting on an ice hummock.
ice mound

An ice mound is a general term for any raised area of ice. It might be used to describe both small and large icy protrusions. It can be found in various frozen environments.

  • Skiers had to navigate around several ice mounds during their trip.
  • An ice mound blocked the path, forcing the sled dogs to make a detour.
ice knoll

An ice knoll is similar to an ice hummock but often implies a more rounded, smooth elevation of ice. It is used to describe features in icy regions.

  • The researchers set up their equipment near a large ice knoll.
  • An ice knoll provided a perfect vantage point for observing the surrounding landscape.

Examples of usage

  • The expedition team had to navigate around the hillocks of ice on the glacier.
  • The polar bear climbed onto a hillock of ice to get a better view of its surroundings.

Translations

Translations of the word "hillock" in other languages:

🇵🇹 colina

🇮🇳 टीला

🇩🇪 Hügel

🇮🇩 bukit kecil

🇺🇦 пагорб

🇵🇱 wzgórze

🇯🇵 小山

🇫🇷 colline

🇪🇸 colina

🇹🇷 tepecik

🇰🇷 작은 언덕

🇸🇦 تل

🇨🇿 pahorek

🇸🇰 pahorok

🇨🇳 小山

🇸🇮 hribček

🇮🇸 hóll

🇰🇿 төбешік

🇬🇪 გორაკი

🇦🇿 təpəcik

🇲🇽 colina

Etymology

The word 'hillock' originated from Middle English 'hullok' which meant a small hill. It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe a small elevation in the land. The term has its roots in Old English and Germanic languages, ultimately deriving from Proto-Indo-European origins. Over time, 'hillock' has maintained its meaning of a small mound or rise in the landscape, both in literal and figurative contexts.

See also: hill, hillbilly, hillwalking.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,007, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.