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montane

montane

1 9.1
Relating to mountains, especially the lower parts where trees grow
  • adjective
  • /mɒnˈteɪn/
  • Specialized
: montano
  • Many montane plants thrive in cool, moist environments.

Examples

  • The montane forest is home to many unique species.

  • These flowers are typical of montane habitats in the Himalayas.

  • Scientists studied the effects of climate change on montane forests.

  • The park is home to many montane species of birds and mammals.

  • These flowers are typical of montane habitats in the Himalayas.

  • The park is home to many montane species of birds and mammals.

  • Many montane plants thrive in cool, moist environments.

Synonyms

mountainous
vsmontane
23 3.4

A region that has many mountains and steep slopes

relates mainly to plants, animals, or climate in those high zones
mountainy
vsmontane
1 4.7

Land with many tall, steep hills and sharp peaks

refers especially to living things and climates below the tree line

How High

alpine
1 5.7
subalpine
  • Specialized
1 8.0
montane
  • Specialized
1 9.1
upland
3 5.1
lowland
5 3.2

Surface Forms

montane positive

Morphology

montane = mountain (semi-transparent) = mont + ane

The adjective relates directly to 'mountain' in meaning but uses the altered combining form 'mont-' and the less familiar suffix '-ane', so the relation may not be obvious to learners.

Etymology

Montane comes from the root mont- which means 'mountain' and is the same root in mountain, so montane describes plants, animals, or climates that live on mountains, often where trees still grow.