Derived from the Latin word “Alpinus,” it translates to “of the Alps” or “relating to the Alps.” The Alps, a significant European mountain range, serves as the cornerstone for this name’s meaning. The term itself has evolved from the Latin “Alpes,” which throughout history has primarily denoted the high mountain range stretching across eight countries in Europe.
I’m out of the loop, is the word Alpine used to refer to anything that isn’t the Alps?
Colloquially it’s used as “like the Alps” as much as “of the Alps.”
Alpine sports
I’ve always heard it in terms of general mountains. Eg alpine meadow, alpine lake, etc.
I guess that makes sense. I never realized I didn’t make that association. Or rather, when I heard “Alpine” I think of “of the alps” but also think of The Alps as just meaning a general mountain, but also the specific mountains. I’m not even from central Europe, so that’s an interesting realisation about how my brain is wired.
Ah, makes sense. Guess it just depends on what you’re familiar with. I’d interpret “Alpine Meadow” as either a meadow in the Alps, or as a meadow that looks like a meadow in the Alps lol
I’ve also seen “alpine skiing” used as a synonym to “downhill skiing” (as opposed to cross country skiing)
Also Alpine tours, which are definitely not in the Alps.
It’s true, here it’s more like “Andean <something>” (“<algo> andino”)