The spelling of the word "upper" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The word is pronounced as /ˈʌpər/ with a short vowel sound /ʌ/ and a voiceless /p/ sound followed by a schwa /ə/ sound. The final /r/ is pronounced as a weakly articulated sound with no tension in the throat. The word "upper" refers to something located above or higher in position or ranking. It is commonly used in phrases like "upper class," "upper floor," or "upper hand."
Upper (adjective)
1. Located higher in position or situated above something else in terms of elevation or height.
Example: The upper shelf of the bookcase held all the novels.
2. Relating to a higher or superior state, degree, rank, or level.
Example: The upper class is usually associated with wealth and privilege.
3. Referring to the part of something that is closest to the top or anterior section.
Example: The upper lip quivered slightly as a sign of nervousness.
4. Indicating the portion or division that is more northern or upstream.
Example: The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is bordered by Lake Superior.
5. Describing the later or final stages of a process or period of time.
Example: The upper part of the stage involves the climax of the play.
6. Expressing superiority or dominance in a physical or competitive context.
Example: The boxer delivered an uppercut, striking his opponent's chin forcefully.
7. Being the more recent or advanced part in a hierarchical or sequential order.
Example: The upper model of the smartphone offers enhanced features and performance.
8. Relating to the higher range of notes in music or a higher register in singing.
Example: The singer's upper notes resonated beautifully throughout the concert hall.
In summary, the adjective "upper" refers to being higher in position, rank, elevation, or division. It can also denote a superior state or level, an anterior part, a northern or upstream orientation, later stages, physical dominance, a more recent part, or the higher range in music.
Higher in place; superior in rank or dignity.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "upper" dates back to Middle English and is derived from the Old English word "uppre", which is a comparative form of "upp", meaning "up". It is related to other Germanic languages, such as Old Norse ("yfir") and Dutch ("opper"), both of which also mean "upper". The root of the word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*ub". From Old English, the term "upper" has evolved over time to retain its meaning of something situated above or higher in position.