mound
UK: maʊnd | US: maʊnd
n. a natural or artificial elevation of earth, often rounded in shape
n. (baseball) the slightly raised area from which a pitcher throws the ball
vt. to heap or pile up into a mound
The word "mound" traces back to Middle English mounde, meaning "a hedge or boundary," likely derived from Old English mund (hand, protection) or Old Norse mund (hand). Over time, its meaning shifted to denote a raised earthen structure, possibly influenced by the idea of a protective barrier or boundary marked by piled earth. The modern sense of a rounded hill or artificial pile emerged by the 16th century.
The children built a small mound of sand at the beach.
Archaeologists discovered ancient artifacts buried within the mound.
The pitcher stepped onto the mound and prepared to throw.
Workers mounded dirt around the base of the tree to protect its roots.
A grassy mound marked the entrance to the historic site.