ETYM Latin Alpes the Alps, said to be of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. alp a high mountain, Irish ailp any huge mass or lump: cf. French Alpes.
Any high mountain.
1. A high rugged mountain.
2. Something suggesting an alp in height, size, or ruggedness.

ETYM Spanish alpaca, from the original Peruvian name of the animal. Related to Paco.
1. A thin glossy fabric made of the wool of the alpaca, or a rayon or cotton imitation.
2. Domesticated llama with long silky fleece; believed to be a domesticated variety of the guanaco; SYN. Lama pacos.
3. Wool of the alpaca.
Fine wool made from alpaca hair.
Domesticated South American hoofed mammal Lama pacos of the camel family, found in Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, and herded at high elevations in the Andes. It is bred mainly for its long, fine, silky wool, and stands about 1 m/3 ft tall at the shoulder with neck and head another 60 cm/2 ft.
The alpaca is also used for food at the end of its fleece-producing years. Like the llama, it was probably bred from the wild guanaco and is a close relative of the vicuna.

A large mountain system in south-central Europe; scenic beauty and winter sports make them a popular tourist attraction; Also called: the Alps.
Mountain chain, the barrier between N Italy and France, Germany and Austria. Skiing and summer tourism is important. Skiing is damaging the Alpine environment; high forest is cut down to create pistes, increasing the risk of avalanches. Acid rain is destroying trees.
Peaks include Mont Blanc, the highest at 4,809 m/15,777 ft, first climbed by Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard 1786; Matterhorn in the Pennine Alps, 4,479 m/14,694 ft, first climbed by Edward Whymper 1865 (four of the party of seven were killed when a rope broke during their descent); Eiger in the Bernese Alps/Oberland, 3,970 m/13,030 ft, with a near-vertical rock wall on the north face, first climbed 1858; Jungfrau, 4,166 m/13,673 ft; and Finsteraarhorn 4,275 m/14,027 ft.
Passes include Brenner, the lowest, Austria/Italy; Great St Bernard, one of the highest, 2,472 m/8,113 ft, Italy/Switzerland (by which Napoleon marched into Italy 1800); Little St Bernard, Italy/France (which Hannibal is thought to have used); and St Gotthard, S Switzerland, which Suvorov used when ordered by the tsar to withdraw his troops from Italy. All have been superseded by all-weather road/rail tunnels. The Alps extend down the Adriatic coast into Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, and N Albania with the Julian and Dinaric Alps.

A mountain climber who specializes in difficult climbs.

One who is expert in climbing crags or cliffs.

ETYM Old Fren. montanier, Late Lat. montanarius. Related to Mountain.
1. A native or inhabitant of a mountainous region.
2. Someone who climbs mountains; SYN. mountain climber.

Mountain climbing in the Alps or other high mountains.

ETYM Latin Alpinus, from Alpes the Alps: cf. French Alpin.
1. Relating to or characteristic of alps.
2. (Biology) Living or growing above the timber line.

ETYM Latin auricula. Related to Auricle.
Yellow-flowered primrose native to Alps; commonly cultivated; SYN. bear's ear, Primula auricula.
Species of primrose Primula auricula, a plant whose leaves are said to resemble a bear’s ears. It is native to the Alps but popular in cool-climate areas and often cultivated in gardens.

European alpine rose with crimson flowers; SYN. Rosa pendulina.

ETYM Latin Alpinus, from Alpes the Alps: cf. French Alpin.
1. Relating to or characteristic of alps.
2. (Biology) Living or growing above the timber line.