mountain-bike
Meaning
A sturdy bicycle with wide tires and multiple gears, designed for riding on rough terrain such as mountains or trails.
Structure
Usage
He traded his road bike for a mountain-bike to explore the forest trails.
The key feature of a good mountain-bike is its strong suspension system.
We spent the weekend mountain-biking in the national park.
Etymology
The term is a modern compound noun, formed in the late 20th century to describe a specialized type of bicycle. The first element, 'mountain', derives from the Latin mons (mountain), which entered English via French and denotes the rugged, off-road environment for which the vehicle is intended. The second element, 'bike', is a colloquial shortening of 'bicycle', itself a word formed from Latin/Greek roots meaning 'two wheels'. The compound's logic is transparently descriptive, directly linking the vehicle's primary function ('bike') to its intended terrain ('mountain'), creating a new lexical item for a new technological development.
Analysis
mountain: From Latin montanus (of a mountain), via Old French montaigne. Functions as a noun modifier specifying the type or purpose. bike: A clipped form of 'bicycle', from Greek kyklos (wheel) via French. Functions as the core noun.