up

I. adverb Etymology: partly from Middle English up upward, from Old English ūp; partly from Middle English uppe on high, from Old English; both akin to Old High German ūf up and probably to Latin sub under, Greek hypo under, hyper over — more at over Date: before 12th century 1. a. (1) in or into a higher position or level; especially away from the center of the earth (2) from beneath the ground or water to the surface (3) from below the horizon (4) upstream 1 (5) in or into an upright position <

sit up

>; especially out of bed b. upward from the ground or surface <

pull up a daisy

> c. so as to expose a particular surface 2. with greater intensity <

speak up

> 3. a. in or into a better or more advanced state b. at an end <

your time is up

> c. in or into a state of greater intensity or excitement d. to or at a greater speed, rate, or amount <

prices went up

> e. in a continual sequence ; in continuance from a point or to a point <

from third grade up

> <

at prices of $10 and up

> <

up until now

> 4. a. (1) into existence, evidence, prominence, or prevalence (2) into operation or practical form b. into consideration or attention <

bring up for discussion

> 5. into possession or custody 6. a. entirely, completely <

button up your coat

> b. — used as an intensifier <

clean up the house

> 7. in or into storage ; by <

lay up supplies

> 8. a. so as to arrive or approach b. in a direction conventionally the opposite of down: (1) to windward (2) northward (3) to or at the top (4) to or at the rear of a theatrical stage 9. in or into parts 10. to a stop — usually used with draw, bring, fetch, or pull 11. for each side <

the score is 15 up

> II. adjective Date: before 12th century 1. a. risen above the horizon <

the sun is up

> b. standing c. being out of bed d. relatively high <

the river is up

> <

was well up in her class

> e. being in a raised position ; lifted <

windows are up

> f. being in a state of completion ; constructed, built g. having the face upward h. mounted on a horse <

a new jockey up

> i. grown above a surface <

the corn is up

> j. (1) moving, inclining, or directed upward <

the up escalator

> (2) bound in a direction regarded as up 2. a. (1) marked by agitation, excitement, or activity (2) positive or upbeat in mood or demeanor b. being above a former or normal level (as of quantity or intensity) <

attendance is up

> <

the wind is up

> c. exerting enough power (as for operation) <

sail when steam is up

> d. ready; specifically highly prepared e. going on ; taking place <

find out what is up

> 3. a. risen from a lower position <

men up from the ranks

> b. being at the same level or point <

did not feel up to par

> c. (1) well informed ; abreast <

up on the news

> (2) being on schedule <

up on his homework

> d. being ahead of one's opponent 4. a. presented for or undergoing consideration <

contract up for negotiation

>; also charged before a court <

up for robbery

> b. being the one whose turn it is <

you're up next

> III. preposition Date: 1509 1. a. — used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of <

went up the stairs

> b. up into or in the <

was hid away up garret — Mark Twain

> 2. a. in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of <

lives a few miles up the coast

> <

walked up the street

> b. toward or near a point closer to the source or beginning of <

sail up the river

> 3. in the direction opposite to <

sailed up the wind

> IV. noun Date: 1536 1. one in a high or advantageous position 2. an upward slope 3. a period or state of prosperity or success 4. upper III 5. a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of +2/3 and that is one of the constituents of a nucleon V. verb (upped or in intransitive verb 2 up; upped; upping; ups or in intransitive verb 2 up) Date: 1643 intransitive verb 1. a. to rise from a lying or sitting position b. to move upward ; ascend 2. — used with and and another verb to indicate that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly or abruptly initiated <

he up and quit his job

> transitive verb 1. raise, lift 2. a. to advance to a higher level: (1) increase (2) promote 1a b. raise 8d, e