mound

Everyday

1. A mound is a small hill or a pile of earth, stones or other things. tree →
2. A mound is a large pile of something, like a mound of washing. tree →
3. In baseball, the mound is the raised spot where the pitcher stands. tree →

In the lessons

In history, burial mounds were made long ago over graves. In science, ants and termites build mounds, and moles leave molehills. In everyday life, "a mound of" means a big heap. Phrases: "burial mound", "a mound of homework".

Examples

• The termites built a huge mound. tree →
• We climbed to the top of a grassy mound. tree →
• There was a mound of dirty plates in the sink. tree →
• The ancient burial mound is very old. tree →
• The pitcher stood on the mound. tree →
• Moles leave little mounds of soil on the lawn. tree →
• On the mound sat the Cricket and took snuff. tree →

Note

Countable. Similar: heap, pile, hillock. Do not confuse with "mount" (to climb onto).

In Jewish tradition

A mound is a heap of earth. Armies built siege mounds against city walls, and cities stood on old mounds called tells.

Interpretation. Prophets use the siege mound as a sign of coming judgment. The "cities on their mounds" show that Joshua left most cities standing and burned only Hazor.

Examples

• But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only — that did Joshua burn. (Prophets JOS.11.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will encamp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mound, and I will raise siege works against thee. (Prophets ISA.29.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company succour him in the war, when they cast up mounds and build forts, to cut off many souls; (Prophets EZK.17.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Similar: heap, pile, hillock. Do not confuse with "mount" (to climb onto).