hummock

English

Etymology

Unknown, but probably a diminutive of hump, equivalent to hump +‎ -ock (diminutive suffix). Compare hillock.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhʌmək/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

Hummocky ice in the Gulf of Finland, on the coast of Estonia.

hummock (plural hummocks)

1. A small hill; a hillock; a knoll.
   • 2020 [1992], Vernor Vinge, chapter 3, in A Fire Upon the Deep, 1st edition, New York: Tor Essentials, →ISBN, page 36:

     The west edge of their landing area was swarming with…things. Like wolves or dogs, but with long necks, they moved quickly forward, darting from hummock to hummock

2. A ridge or hill of ice in an ice field.
3. (Scotland) A fistful.

Related terms

• hummocked
• hummocking
• hummocky

Translations

small hill — see hillock

ridge or hill of ice

• German: Eishügel m
• Polish: spiętrzenie lodu n
• Russian: торос (ru) m (toros)
• Turkish: buz tepeciği, buz tümseği

References

• hummock on Wikipedia.Wikipedia