n. [ OE. hil, hul, AS. hyll; akin to OD. hille, hil, L. collis, and prob. to E. haulm, holm, and column. Cf. 2d Holm. ] 1. A natural elevation of land, or a mass of earth rising above the common level of the surrounding land; an eminence less than a mountain. [ 1913 Webster ]
Every mountain and hill shall be made low. Is. xl. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The earth raised about the roots of a plant or cluster of plants. [ U. S. ] See Hill, v. t. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. A single cluster or group of plants growing close together, and having the earth heaped up about them; as, a hill of corn or potatoes. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Hill ant (Zool.), a common ant (Formica rufa), of Europe and America, which makes mounds or ant-hills over its nests. --
Hill myna (Zool.), one of several species of birds of India, of the genus Gracula, and allied to the starlings. They are easily taught to speak many words. [ Written also hill mynah. ] See Myna. --
Hill partridge (Zool.), a partridge of the genus Aborophila, of which numerous species in habit Southern Asia and the East Indies. --
Hill tit (Zool.), one of numerous species of small Asiatic singing birds of the family Leiotrichidæ. Many are beautifully colored. [ 1913 Webster ]