Definition of mound

The word "mound" has its roots in Old English and Old Norse. In Old English, the word "mund" or "munda" referred to a hill or a mound of earth. This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic "mundiz", which is also the source of the Modern English word "mind". In Old Norse, the word "haugr" meant a mound or a tumulus, often used for burial purposes. This word was later adopted into Middle English as "mound", which initially referred to a raised earthwork or a hill of earth. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include other types of mounds, such as earthworks used for ceremonial or ritual purposes. Today, the word "mound" has a broader range of meanings, including a pile of earth or a mountain, as well as a type of natural or artificial feature.