ARETE, a ridge or sharp edge (O.Fr. areste, Lat. arista, ear of corn, fish bone or spine), a French term used in Switzer land to denote any sharp bayonet-like ridge of precipitous rock; e.g., the Weisshorn is formed of three great sharp ridges which meet in a pyramidal point. Arete now denotes any sharp moun tain edge denuded by frost action above the snowline, where the consequent angular ridges give "house-roof" form.