mount¹ / mount/ • v. [tr.] 1. climb up (stairs, a hill, or other rising surface): he mounted the steps to the front door. ∎  climb or move up on to (a raised surface): the master of ceremonies mounted the platform. ∎  get up on (an animal or bicycle) in order to ride it. ∎  (often be mounted) set (someone) on horseback; provide with a horse: she was mounted on a white horse. ∎  (of a male mammal or bird) get on (a female) for the purpose of copulation. ∎  [intr.] (of the blood or its color) rise into the cheeks: feeling the blush mount in her cheeks, she looked down quickly.2. organize and initiate (a campaign or other significant course of action): the company had successfully mounted takeover bids. ∎  establish; set up: security forces mounted checkpoints at every key road. ∎  produce (a play, exhibition, or other artistic event); present for public view or display.3. [intr.] grow larger or more numerous: the costs mount up when you buy a home. ∎  (of a feeling) become stronger or more intense: his anxiety mounted as messages were left unanswered.4. [tr.] place or fix (an object) on an elevated support: fluorescent lights are mounted on the ceiling. ∎  fix (an object) in position: the engine is mounted behind the rear seats. ∎  [tr.] place (a gun) on a fixed mounting. ∎  [tr.] set in or attach to a backing or setting: the photographs will be mounted and framed. ∎  [tr.] fix (an object for viewing) on a microscope slide. ∎  [tr.] Comput. make (a disk or disk drive) available for use.• n. 1. a backing or setting on which a photograph, gem, or work of art is set for display. ∎  a glass microscope slide for securing a specimen to be viewed. ∎  Philately a clear plastic or paper sleeve used to display a postage stamp.2. a support for a gun, camera, or similar piece of equipment.3. a horse being ridden or that is available for riding: he hung on to his mount's bridle. ∎  an opportunity to ride a horse, esp. as a jockey: the jockey's injuries forced him to give up the coveted mount on Cool Ground.PHRASES: mount guard keep watch, esp. for protection or to prevent escape.DERIVATIVES: mount·a·ble adj.mount·er n.mount² • n. a mountain or hill (archaic except in place names): Mount Everest. ∎  any of several fleshy prominences on the palm of the hand regarded in palmistry as signifying the degree of influence of a particular planet: mount of Mars.

mount2 go upwards, ascend, rise XIV; cause to ascend, etc., set in position XVI. — OF. munter, (also mod.) monter :- Rom. *montāre, f. mont- MOUNT1.
Hence mount sb. † amount XIV; mounting XV; fitting, setting; ridden animal XIX.

mount1 mountain, hill OE.; † earthwork; † mound. XVI. OE. munt — (reinforced in ME. from (O)F. mont :-) L. mōns, mont-.