montante

Montante is a term used in several Romance languages, most commonly Portuguese and Italian, with several distinct meanings across different fields. In general, it can denote a vertical structural element, a directional sense in geography or hydrology, or the total amount of money in a financial context. The word also appears as a surname in some regions.

In architecture and carpentry, montante refers to a vertical member of a frame or panel, such as the side posts of a door or window. These vertical elements help define the opening and support loads, while horizontal members called travessas or travas provide cross-bracing and stability. The term is used in both traditional and modern framing terminology in several languages.

In hydrology and navigation, montante denotes the upstream direction or the portion of a river toward its source. It is used to indicate movement, flow, or measurement relative to the headwaters, with jusante describing the downstream direction. This usage is common in discussions of rivers, streams, and water management.

In finance and accounting, montante means the total amount or gross sum involved in a transaction or financial calculation. It can refer to the overall debt, indemnity, or any aggregate figure that sum rises to, before deductions or additions are made.

As a surname, Montante exists in Italian and Portuguese-speaking communities. The term’s meanings vary by context, but all share a common sense of an integral, extending element—whether structural, directional, or monetary.