How Do You Spell ANT-HILL?

Pronunciation: [ˈanthˈɪl] (IPA)

The word "ant-hill" is spelled with a hyphen between "ant" and "hill". The first syllable "ant" is pronounced /ænt/ with the short "a" sound and the "t" sound at the end. The second syllable "hill" is pronounced /hɪl/ with the short "i" sound and the "l" sound at the end. The hyphen is used to show the two separate words that make up the compound noun. An ant-hill is a mound of earth created by ants as a home or storage area.

ANT-HILL Meaning and Definition

  1. An ant-hill refers to a distinctive mound or small hill-like structure that is constructed by ants as their dwelling. It is a natural architectural creation made by ant colonies. The intricate formation is entirely made up of soil particles, carefully assembled by the busy ants for their shelter.

    Ant-hills are primarily found in areas with loose or sandy soil, such as grasslands, forests, or meadows. These small hills typically range from a few centimeters to a few meters in height, depending on the size and maturity of the ant colony. The shape of an ant-hill varies, but it commonly forms a conical or dome-like structure.

    The purpose of an ant-hill goes beyond being just a dwelling place. It serves as a central hub for various colony activities, including nurseries for raising ant larvae, storage chambers for food, and ventilation systems to regulate the internal temperature. The arrangement of chambers and tunnels within an ant-hill allows ants to efficiently navigate and communicate with each other.

    Ant-hills display an astonishing level of organization and social behavior. The entire construction process is carried out by different castes of ants, with specialized tasks, such as digging, gathering and shaping soil, and maintaining the integrity of the structure.

    Ant-hills are not only fascinating ecological phenomena but also vital habitats for other organisms. Various insects, reptiles, and bacteria can be found living in or around ant-hills, taking advantage of the shelter and resources provided by the ants.

  2. A nest of ants.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ANT-HILL

  • znt-hill
  • snt-hill
  • wnt-hill
  • qnt-hill
  • abt-hill
  • amt-hill
  • ajt-hill
  • aht-hill
  • anr-hill
  • anf-hill
  • ang-hill
  • any-hill
  • an6-hill
  • an5-hill
  • ant0hill
  • antphill
  • ant-gill
  • ant-bill
  • ant-nill
  • ant-hoill

Etymology of ANT-HILL

The word "ant-hill" is composed of two parts: "ant" and "hill".

The term "ant" traces back to Middle English, where it was spelled as "amte" or "annte", and Old English, where it was "ǣmete" or "ǣmette". These forms of the word originated from West Germanic languages and are related to similar words in Old High German ("āmeiza") and Old Norse ("amstr"). The ultimate origin of the word can be traced to an ancient Indo-European root, "*m̥tóm", which refers to a specific kind of biting insect.

The term "hill" comes from Old English "hyll", which meant "a natural elevation of the earth, especially rounded or conical in form".

Plural form of ANT-HILL is ANT-HILLS

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: