Sur*mount" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Surmounted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Surmounting.] [OE. sourmounten, OF. surmonter,
sormonter, F. surmonter; sur over + monter
to mount. See Sur-, and Mount, v. i.]
1. To rise above; to be higher than; to
overtop.
The mountains of Olympus, Athos, and Atlas, overreach
and surmount all winds and clouds.
Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. To conquer; to overcome; as, to
surmount difficulties or obstacles. Macaulay.
3. To surpass; to exceed.
Spenser.
What surmounts the reach
Of human sense I shall delineate.
Milton.
Syn. -- To conquer; overcome; vanquish; subdue; surpass;
exceed.