An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A natural elevation of the earth’s surface, smaller than a mountain.

Etymology (EN): M.E.; O.E. hyll, from P.Gmc. *khulnis (cf. M.Du. hille, Low Ger. hull “hill,” O.N. hallr “stone,” Goth. hallus “rock,” O.E. holm “rising land, island”), from PIE base *kel- “to rise, to be prominent” (cf. Skt. kuta- “summit, peak;” Mod.Pers. kutal, kotal high hill, the skirts of a hill;" Tabari dialect keti “hill; top of the head;
L. collis “hill,” culmen “top, summit,” cellere “raise,” celsus “high;” Gk. kolonos “hill,” kolophon “summit;” Lith. kalnas “mountain,” kalnelis “hill”).

Etymology (PE): Tappé “hill.”