A major mountain range in Europe, or any high mountain range with snow-capped peaks and steep terrain.
From Latin 'Alpes,' possibly derived from Celtic or pre-Indo-European roots meaning 'high mountains.' The Alps became one of the most famous mountain ranges in Europe and the word was often used to refer to any similar mountain chain.
The Alps are so famous that people borrowed the word to describe ANY huge mountain range—Andes, Himalayas—they're all sometimes called 'alpine' regions! The name might come from ancient Celtic languages spoken by people living there before Romans arrived and labeled them.
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