An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A long, narrow elevation of the Earth’s surface, generally sharp crested with steep sides, either independently or as part of a larger mountain or hill. See also:

→ submarine ridge, → wrinkle ridge, → mid-Atlantic ridge.

Etymology (EN): M.E. rigge; O.E. hrycg “spine, back of a man or beast” (cf. O.Fris. hregg, Du. rug, O.H.G. hrukki, Ger. Rücken “the back”).

Etymology (PE): Ruk, from dialectal Tabari ruk “mountain, ridge;” cf. (Dehxodâ) raš “hill.”