The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Surmount \Sur*mount"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surmounted; p. pr.
   & vb. n. Surmounting.] [OE. sourmounten, OF. surmonter,
   sormonter, F. surmonter; sur over + monter to mount. See
   Sur-, and Mount, v. i.]
   1. To rise above; to be higher than; to overtop.
      [1913 Webster]

            The mountains of Olympus, Athos, and Atlas,
            overreach and surmount all winds and clouds. --Sir
                                                  W. Raleigh.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To conquer; to overcome; as, to surmount difficulties or
      obstacles. --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To surpass; to exceed. --Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]

            What surmounts the reach
            Of human sense I shall delineate.     --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To conquer; overcome; vanquish; subdue; surpass; exceed.
        [1913 Webster]