Selkirk Mountains

1 5.5

A group of high mountains in southeast British Columbia that lie west of the Rocky Mountains

proper noun

: Montañas Selkirk

The Selkirk Mountains are famous for their dramatic peaks and deep valleys.

Examples

Many hikers travel to the Selkirk Mountains each summer for the stunning scenery.
Heavy snowfall is common throughout the Selkirk Mountains in winter.
The Selkirk Mountains are known for their stunning vistas.
Have you ever visited the Selkirk Mountains?
Many hikers travel to the Selkirk Mountains each summer for the stunning scenery.
Heavy snowfall is common throughout the Selkirk Mountains in winter.
The Selkirk Mountains are famous for their dramatic peaks and deep valleys.

Surface Forms

Selkirk Mountains main

Morphology

Selkirk + mountain

The phrase combines a proper name 'Selkirk' with the common noun 'mountains', so a learner who knows the constituents will readily infer it refers to mountains (a mountain range) called Selkirk. While geographic specifics (location, extent) cannot be derived from the words alone, the basic referential meaning is compositionally transparent and follows a common naming pattern.

Etymology

Selkirk Mountains takes its name from Lord Selkirk, a Scottish nobleman who helped bring settlers to parts of Canada, and early explorers and mapmakers 'named' the mountain range after him. So today Selkirk Mountains simply means the group of mountains that were 'named after' that person.