Prominence

Origin

Middle English promynent, from Latin prominent-, prominens, from present participle of prominēre to jut forward, from pro- forward + -minēre (akin to mont-, mons mountain)

• 15th Century

Definitions

• 1: standing out or projecting beyond a surface or line : protuberant
• 2a : readily noticeable : conspicuous

b : widely and popularly known : leading

Description

In topography, prominence, also known as autonomous height, relative height, shoulder drop (in North America), or prime factor (in Europe), is a concept used in the categorization of hills and mountains, also known as peaks. It is a measure of the independent stature of a summit; compare topographic profile.[1]