Deeper Dive: hill
Hill
(?), n. [OE. hil, hul, AS. hyll; akin to OD. hille, hil, L. collis, and prob. to E. haulm, holm, and column. Cf. 2d Holm.]
1. A natural elevation of land, or a mass of earth rising above the common level of the surrounding land; an eminence less than a mountain.
Every mountain and hill shall be made low.
Is. xl. 4.
2. The earth raised about the roots of a plant or cluster of plants. [U. S.] See Hill, v. t.
3. A single cluster or group of plants growing close together, and having the earth heaped up about them; as, a hill of corn or potatoes. [U. S.]
Hill ant (Zoöl.), a common ant (Formica rufa), of Europe and America, which makes mounds or ant-hills over its nests. -- Hill myna(Zoöl.), one of several species of birds of India, of the genus Gracula, and allied to the starlings. They are easily taught to speak many words. [Written also hill mynah.] See Myna. -- Hill partridge(Zoöl.), a partridge of the genus Aborophila, of which numerous species in habit Southern Asia and the East Indies. -- Hill tit (Zoöl.), one of numerous species of small Asiatic singing birds of the family Leiotrichidæ. Many are beautifully colored.
Hill
(?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Hilling.] To surround with earth; to heap or draw earth around or upon; as, to hill corn.
Showing them how to plant and hill it.
Palfrey.
-- Webster's unabridged 1913
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