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upper

 - 7 dictionary results

up⋅per

1  [uhp-er]
Use upper in a Sentence
–adjective
1. higher, as in place, position, pitch, or in a scale: the upper stories of a house; the upper register of a singer's voice.
2. superior, as in rank, dignity, or station.
3. (of places) at a higher level, more northerly, or farther from the sea: the upper slopes of a mountain; upper New York State.
4. (often initial capital letter) Stratigraphy. denoting a later division of a period, system, or the like: the Upper Devonian.
–noun
5. the part of a shoe or boot above the sole, comprising the quarter, vamp, counter, and lining.
6. an upper berth.
7. a gaiter made of cloth. Compare gaiter (def. 1).
8. Usually, uppers,
a. an upper dental plate.
b. an upper tooth.
9. Informal. the higher of two bunks or berths.
—Idiom
10. on one's uppers, Informal. reduced to poverty; without sufficient means: They are on their uppers but manage to hide the fact from their friends.
Origin:
1300–50; ME; see up (adj.), -er 4

up⋅per

2  [uhp-er]
–noun Slang.
1. a stimulant drug, esp. an amphetamine.
2. a pleasant or elating experience, person, or situation.
Origin:
1965–70, Americanism; up + -er 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To upper
up·per   (ŭp'ər)   
adj.  

  1. Higher in place, position, or rank: the upper bunk; the upper half of the class.

    1. Situated on higher ground: upper regions.

    2. Lying farther inland: the upper Nile.

    3. Northern: the upper Midwest.

  3. Upper Geology & Archaeology Of, relating to, or being a later division of the period named.

  4. Denoting the smaller and usually less broadly representative house of a bicameral legislature.

n.  

  1. The part of a shoe or boot above the sole.

  2. Informal An upper berth.

  3. uppers Informal The upper teeth or a set of upper dentures.

  4. Slang

    1. A drug, especially an amphetamine, used as a stimulant.

    2. An exhilarating or euphoric experience.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

upper  (adj.)
c.1300, originally comparative of up. Cf. M.Du. upper, Du. opper, Low Ger. upper, Norw. yppare. Noun meaning "part of a shoe above the sole" is recorded from 1789; sense of "stimulant drug" is from 1968. Upper crust is attested from 1460 in ref. to the top crust of a loaf of bread, 1836 in ref. to society. The pugilistic uppercut is first recorded 1842. Upper hand "advantage" is 1481, probably from wrestling. Upperclassman is recorded from 1871. Upper middle class (adj.) is first recorded 1872.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1up·per
Pronunciation: '&p-&r
Function: noun
: an upper tooth or denture

Main Entry: 2upper
Function: noun
: a stimulant drug; especially : AMPHETAMINE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

upper

In addition to the idioms beginning with upper, also see keep a stiff upper lip; on one's uppers.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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