matterhorn
matterhorn Lexical Profile
• noun
A prominent mountain in the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy, internationally renowned for its near-symmetrical, pyramidal peak.
A sharp, pyramidal mountain peak formed by the converging erosion of multiple glaciers (cirques) around a central highland.
"The extensive glaciation during the last ice age carved the local summit into a steep, jagged matterhorn."
A formidable, monumental challenge or obstacle that must be overcome, named in figurative reference to the famous mountain.
"Passing the sweeping federal legislation proved to be a political Matterhorn for the new administration."
Word Nuance & Usage
While primarily capitalized as a proper noun referring to the famous alpine mountain, it is sometimes used generically in lower-case within geology to describe any glacially sculpted pyramidal peak.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the German language, combining 'Matte' (referring to the alpine meadows of the Zermatt valley) and 'Horn' (meaning peak).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.