n. 1. The total of two or more quantities; the aggregate. 2. A number; a sum. 3. A principal plus its interest, as in a loan. 4. The full effect or meaning; import. 5. Quantity: a great amount of intelligence. intr.v. a·mount·ed, a·mount·ing, a·mounts 1. To add up in number or quantity: The purchases amounted to 50 dollars. 2. To add up in import or effect: That plan will never amount to anything. 3. To be equivalent or tantamount: accusations that amount to an indictment. [From Middle English amounten, to ascend, from Old French amonter, from amont, upward, from Latin ad montem, to the hill : ad, to; see ad- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + mōns, mont-, hill; see men-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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