uprightadj.n.
/ˈʌprʌɪt/, /ʌpˈrʌɪt/, U.S. /ˈəpˌraɪt/ A. adj.
I. predicative.† 2. Lying or so as to lie at full length, flat or recumbent, on the back and with the face upwards; supine. Usually with lie vb. Obsolete.
1. Erect on the feet or end; in or into a vertical position; perpendicular to the ground or other surface. (Cf. sense A. 3.)† d. Cant. (See quot. 1699) Obsolete.
a. With verbs, as go, rise, sit, stand, walk.In Old English the adverbial form uprihte is occasionally used.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > upright or erect posture > [adjective]
uprightOE
erectc1530
erected1604
straighta1616
straight-pighta1616
standing1631
undeclining1820
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > [adjective] > supine or face up
uprightOE
displayeda1400
supine?a1425
upward1607
resupine1682
the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in upward direction > vertically
uprightOE
OE Beowulf 2092 Hyt ne mihte swa, syððan ic on yrre uppriht astod.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 5868 Þis holi man sat vpriȝt, & ysei is deþes wounde.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3248 Ðe water up-stod..On twinne half, also a wal up-rigt.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 56 Huanne þe glotoun geþ in to þe tauerne ha geþ opriȝt.
1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) Acts xiv. 9 Rise thou vp riȝt on thi feet.
14.. Sir Beues (MS M.) 4184 Sir Beues was wery..That vnnethe he myght sitt vp-right.
c1400 Anturs of Arthur l The king stode vp righte And commaunded pes.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Lev. xxvi. 13 I haue broken the cepter of youre yocke, and caused you to go vp right.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. xxxii. 79 b Many Noble men..all standing upright uppon theyr feete.
1607 Merry Devil Edmonton Induct. 3 My stiffned haire stands vpright on my head.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 100 Upright he walks, on Pasterns firm and straight. View more context for this quotation
1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 278 A Man likewise standing firmest when he stands uprightest.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. x. x. 372 Supported by pillows, she sat almost upright.
1821 C. Lamb in London Mag. June 612/2 He..has a spirit, that would stand upright in the presence of the Cham of Tartary.
1847 J. W. Carlyle Lett. (1883) I. 391 I..can hardly sit upright.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 419 The films are thick enough to place in racks to wash, or to stand upright to dry.
b. With other verbs (or elliptical).
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3804 Þe stan his heued lai on þat night, In takning, he it sett vp right.
a1400 Northern Passion 143/158 Sodanly þir launces thre..With outt mannys helpe war raysed vppe ryght.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §28. 38 Thise signes arisen more vpriht, & they ben called eke souereyn signes.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Merlin (1904) I. l. 2698 Bothe dragowns..Thanne tornen..hem bothe with gret myht, And meveth al the erthe evene vpryht.
1496 Cov. Leet Bk. 575 Maister Meire, hold vp-right your swerde.
?1530 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry (rev. ed.) f. xiiii His forkes & rakes..wolde be..beyked, and set euen to lye vpryght in thy hand.
1622 J. Taylor Farewell to Tower-bottles A 2 b 'Twas my chance in Bacchus spight, To come into the Tower vnfox'd vpright.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 221 Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool His mighty Stature. View more context for this quotation
1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Theodore & Honoria in Fables 262 Stood Theodore..With chatt'ring Teeth and bristling Hair upright.
1755 J. Wesley Primitive Physick (ed. 5) 30 The Apoplexy... Rub the Head,.. and let two strong Men carry the Patient upright.
1815 W. Wordsworth White Doe of Rylstone i. 16 A vault where the bodies are buried upright.
1900 L. B. Walford One of Ourselves xiv A tall figure reared itself upright at her approach.
c. In figurative uses.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adjective] > pure or flawless
lutter971
unwemmedc1000
fair?c1225
upright?c1225
purec1300
without lackc1300
completec1380
defaultlessa1425
flush?1550
undefective1599
impeccable1620
indefectivea1641
defectless1651
virginala1659
flawless1659
unflawed1665
indefectuous1685
unblighted1785
immaculate1791
indefectible1833
shadeless1894
flukeless1895
intacta1941
pedicured1988
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 194 Hardibileaue Makeð stonden upricht.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1298 Þe mare..þat we wax upright In welthe, and in worldly myght.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 8 [They] With good consail on alle sides Be kept upriht in such a wyse, That hate [etc.]
1399 J. Gower In Praise of Peace 6 The worschipe of this lond, which was doun falle, Now stant upriht.
c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 537 O engelond! stande vp-ryght on thy feet!
c1421 26 Pol. Poems xxi. 147 Of erþe ȝe ben cleped ‘salt’..; Go vp-riȝt and be not halt.
1551 R. Crowley Pleasure & Payne sig. Dv Al men shuld walk in their callynge vpryght.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 105 While the honour of the Britons stood vpright.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xv. v. 38 Most wished it were to be, that our fortune alwaies continued upright.
1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 40 The justice of God stood upright ev'n among heathen disputers.
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon iii. xii. 601 Yet did he ever keep himself upright from manifesting his sorrow.
1822 C. Lamb in London Mag. Jan. 22/2 Pain..could never bend her good spirits, or make them stoop, but they were still upright.
1900 Westm. Gaz. 14 June 2/1 To ‘keep the country upright’ should be..the first aim of the British Government.
ΚΠ
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew (at cited word) Go Upright, said by Taylers and Shoemakers, to their Servants, when any Money is given,..and signifies, bring it all out in Drink, tho' the Donor intended less.
ΚΠ
a1100 in A. S. Napier Old Eng. Glosses 58/1 Supinus, upriht, astreht.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8635 He pulte him mid is vot & adoun vpriȝt him caste.
c1300 Beket 93 This maide ful upriȝt iswoȝe tho heo him iseȝ.
c1386 G. Chaucer Prioress's Tale 159 Ther he with throte ykoruen lay vpright.
a1400 St. Cristofer 651 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 462 In his chayere he welte vpryghte.
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iii. vi. 54 They leyen euen vpright gapyng.
c1450 Mirk's Festial i. 172 He saue eche tre full of bryddes lying vpryȝt dede.
1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) 48 Lienge vpright on the backe is to be vtterly abhorred.
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions i. vi. 88 Leaste he should giue vp the ghoste lieng vpright.
1623 T. Venner Viae Rectae Pars Secunda i. 8 Sleeping upright upon the backe..is altogether unwholesome.
1627 M. Drayton Nimphidia in Battaile Agincourt 118 And Mab..Bestrids young Folks that lye vpright.
II. Characterized by a perpendicular or vertical bearing, and related uses.† 6. † b. Straight in respect of grain. Obsolete.
3.
a. Having the chief axis or distinctive part perpendicular to a surface; set or placed in a vertical position, posture, etc.; pointing or directed upwards; not inclined or leaning over (Cf. sense A. 1b.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [adjective] > upright or erect
upstandingc1000
standing1180
erectc1386
upright1398
standard1538
top-right1562
steya1586
upstraight1598
struttinga1643
straight reacheda1649
surrect1692
stand-up1749
stick-up1808
to sit up and beg1869
pred.
attributive.1420 Searchers Verdicts in Surtees Misc. (1890) 16 William of Alne hafes a upperyghte gavell.1517 in Archaeologia (1883) 47 312 For makyng of an upright steyer of assheler.1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. xii. sig. 382 I call that an vpright cone, whose axe is perpendicular to his base.1640 J. Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum 755 This Violet groweth about a foote high or more, with hard upright stalkes.1668 R. Steele Husbandmans Calling (1672) vii. 189 No creature upon earth hath an upright countenance as man hath.1714 E. Young Force of Relig. i. 290 When the winds..descend, The fair and upright stem is forc'd to bend.1785 W. Cowper Task i. 355 The upright shafts of..[the] tall elms.1855 Poultry Chron. 2 602 Formed of upright bars of stout wire.1870 J. Lubbock Origin of Civilisation (ed. 2) v. 205 The custom of marking boundaries by upright stones.figurative.1600 P. Holland tr. J. B. Marlianus Svmmary Topogr. Rome ii. x, in tr. Livy Rom. Hist. 1359 During the upright and flourishing state of Rome.1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) v. viii An erbe þat growiþ in hard londe is litel and vpright.
1565 A. Golding tr. Caesar Martiall Exploytes in Gallia iii. f. 73 Theyr foredecks wer very streight vpright, and so were also theyr sternes.
1597 J. Gerard Herball iii. 1226 Another kinde of Myrtus..groweth vpright vnto the height of a man.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. x. 5 They [sc. idols] are vpright as the palme tree. View more context for this quotation
1666 Act 18 & 19 Chas. II c. 8 §12 That all Lights..made into any of them [sc. cellars] be..made upright.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 149 It cost me a Month to shape it..to something like the Bottom of a Boat, that it might swim upright.
1759 R. Brown Compl. Farmer 112 'Tis a grass that grows very upright.
1787 T. Best Conc. Treat. Angling 3 Such [fish] as swim with their backs upright, or at right angles to the horizon.
b. In specific names of plants, etc. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > [adjective] > standing or spiring
standingc1384
upright1597
spiry1602
spiring1612
spired1834
1597 J. Gerard Herball i. 24 Vpright Dogs grasse or Quich grasse.
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 705 The vpright Pancie.
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 741 Vpright Clamberer or Virgins Bower, is also a kinde of Clematis.
1640 J. Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum 755 Viola surrecta purpurea, Vpright Violets.
1640 J. Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum 1462 Vpright Woodbinde or Hony suckle.
1731 P. Miller Gardeners Dict. I. at Malva China Upright Mallow, with small white Flowers.
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 319 Upright Fir Moss, Lycopodium.
1822 S. Clarke Hortus Anglicus II. 92 S. Recta. Upright Stachys.
1830 J. Baxter Libr. Agric. & Hort. Knowl. 256 Nardus stricta, Upright mat grass.
1830 J. Baxter Libr. Agric. & Hort. Knowl. 256 Agrostis stricta, Upright bent.
1855 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. VI. 105 Upright Brome-grass.
1882 Garden 11 Mar. 166/2 The upright Acacia (fastigiata), a tree quite as erect in growth as the Lombardy Poplar.
c. spec. and technical. (See quots.) upright pianoforte: see pianoforte n.2
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > [adjective] > erect or elevated
upright1610
versantc1828
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > stringed keyboards > [adjective] > types of piano
upright1795
overstrung1860
trichord1866
overstriking1880
understriking1880
tin-panny1885
rinky-tink1906
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie iii. xxii. 167 Fishes are borne after a diuers manner, viz. Directly, Vpright, Imbowed [etc.].
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues La montée d'vn bastiment, th'vpper part of a building; or, a representation, or modell thereof, called the vpright plot of a building.
1638 S. Foster Art of Dialling 12 Of upright declining Plaines. Those Plaines are upright, which point up directly into the Zenith.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I. (at cited word) Upright South Dyals. See Prime Verticles. [Prime Verticals, or Direct Erect North or South Dyals, are those whose Planes lie parallel to the Prime Vertical Circle.]
1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Upright (with Heralds) is a Term used of Shell-fishes, when they stand so in a Coat of Arms.
1795 Brit. Patent 2028 (1856) 1 An upright grand piano in the form of a bookcase.
1802 T. Loud Brit. Patent 44 Improvements in the construction and action of upright pianofortes.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2684/1 Upright,..a term..applied to a boiler whose hight is greater than its width.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2684/1 Upright,..a term applied to a molding-machine whose mandrel is perpendicular.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 915/1 Upright drill, a term applied to a drill whose mandril is vertical.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 915/1 Upright molding machine.
1887 Golfing 96 A club is said to be ‘upright’ when its head is not at a very obtuse angle to the shaft.
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 150 Upright flues, the main flue or shaft which carries the smoke from the furnace beyond the housetop.
1896 A. J. Hipkins Descr. & Hist. Pianoforte 122 Upright Grand Piano, accurately a grand piano placed vertically upon a stand;..applied in the present day to the better kinds of the cottage piano.
1898 J. Stainer Stainer & Barrett's Dict. Musical Terms (rev. ed.) 359/2 The upright spinet and harpsichord.
d. Marked by perpendicular position or attitude; characterized by vertical bearing; erect.An Old English instance occurs in Ælfric's Hom. I. 276.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [adjective] > upright or erect > marked by upright position
upright1637
1637 J. Milton Comus 3 Circe..Whose charmed Cup Whoever tasted lost his upright shape.
1658 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words at Orthography In Architecture or Fortification,..is taken for the upright erection of any work.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VI. 157 The anal fin..serves to keep the fish in its upright or vertical situation.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. ii. 41 It being impossible to preserve it [sc. a carriage with a broken wheel] in an upright situation.
1871 W. H. G. Kingston R. Kiffin's Ward v Although..more than seventy, he still walked with an upright carriage.
1876 Ld. Tennyson Harold iii. ii. 91 I have lost Somewhat of upright stature thro' mine oath.
1878 B. Taylor Prince Deukalion i. ii. 22 His eyes that met the sun, his upright tread.
4. † b. Cant. Of vagrants: big, strong, or sturdy. Applied spec. to one of the higher classes of vagabonds. Usually upright-man. Obsolete.
a. Of persons: erect in carriage. (Chiefly predicative)
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > upright or erect posture > [adjective] > in carriage
uprightc1405
upstanding1835
well-set-upa1854
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 78 She was..Loong as a Mast and vp righte as a bolt.
1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes iii. 4457 Folk in ther pouerte..Ben..lusti preuid at a neede, Vpriht of lymes ther iournes for to speede.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 86 O most deuine Kate..As vpright as the Ceder.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. ii. 78 Away you horson vpright rabble.
1758 S. Johnson Idler 8 July 105 When these [spinning] wheels are set upon a table.., they will..keep the Girls upright.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge x. 289 He was..past the prime of life, yet upright in his carriage.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. iii. 121 Hereward, bleeding, but still active and upright, broke away.
1905 ‘G. Thorne’ Lost Cause i Hibbert was an upright, soldierly-looking man.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > poverty > mendicancy > [adjective] > able-bodied or sturdy
sturdy1402
strong beggar1530
upright1567
1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) sig. Biii A vpright man the second in seote..of these rainging rablement of rasscales.
1575 J. Awdely Fraternitye of Vacabondes (new ed.) sig. A2v An Vpright man is one that goeth wyth the trunchion of a staffe.
1608 T. Dekker Belman of London sig. C3v This band of Vpright-men seldome march without fiue or six in a company.
a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Beggers Bush ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Kk3v/1 Come Princes of the ragged regiment,..Prig my most upright Lord.
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. G1 Doxie, or a Dell, That never yet with man did Mell; Of whom no Upright man is taster.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Dells,..young bucksome Wenches..[that] have not lost their Virginity, which the ‘vpright man’ pretends to, and seizes.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 97 Johnny Faa, the upright man.]
5. † b. Perpendicular to a surface. Obsolete. rare.
a. = perpendicular adj. 1b, right-up adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [adjective] > almost vertical or sheer
upright1596
plump1611
sheer1800
sheering1851
sheer1864
1596 T. Danett tr. P. de Commynes Hist. viii. v. 324 We mounted vp such a maruellous steepe and vpright hill.
1599 T. Dallam Diary in J. T. Bent Early Voy. Levant (1893) i. 12 This mountayne is verrie upryghte on bothe sides.
1861 G. J. Whyte-Melville Good for Nothing iii Another time do not ride so fast at an upright leap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > position at right angles to something > [adjective]
perpendicularc1475
square?a1560
direct1563
rectangular1646
upright1678
orthogonal1694
normal1704
right-angled1802
cathetal1874
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. iv. 65 Exactly even and upright to the edges of the Board.
c. Of a rectangular superficies: having the height greater than the breadth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > angularity > specific angular shape > [adjective] > quadrilateral > square or rectangular > rectangular or oblong > having height greater than breadth
upright1888
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 150 Upright, a page or job set or cut to an upright size—the reverse of oblong.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 523 The remaining portion..permits of upright or oblong pictures being taken.
a. Of shoes: that may fit either foot; straight. (Opposed to ‘right’ and ‘left’.) Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > shoe or boot > [adjective] > other
voideda1539
high-topped1582
low-cuta1600
upright1608
seven-league1707
spurred?1707
japanned1750
hen-skin1846
pegged1846
stogy1847
wing-tip1872
foxed1880
brogued1894
welted1895
orthopaedic1897
tackless1907
dazzle1931
Jesus1942
pebble-grained1943
unconstructed1973
1608 J. Day Humour out of Breath sig. C3 A paire of vpright shooes, that gentlemen weare..now of one foote, then of another.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. ii. vi. i. 363 He that weares an vpright shooe, may correct the obliquity.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. v. 262 An upright shoe may fit both feet.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > [adjective] > with specific kind of grain
rough-grained1597
cross-grained1675
well-grown1717
close-bodied1726
close-grained1754
upright1776
curled1778
spalted1977
1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 115 The..Braces..ought to be made of sound hearty upright Oak.
7. Taking place in a vertical direction; upward.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > [adjective]
upwarda1616
upright1650
erected1697
the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adjective] > having upward direction > vertically
upright1650
1650 J. Row & J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 431 Everie christian should be an hawk; his course should be upward and upright, or right up.
1837 P. Keith Bot. Lexicon 248 An upright growth of six inches in the year.
1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 352/2 The upright action was invented for the purpose of constructing pianofortes [etc.].
III. figurative.† 9. † b. In good condition; in proper order; correct. Obsolete.† c. Plain; straightforward; unambiguous. Obsolete.
8. absolute.1560 Bible (Geneva) Prov. xxviii. 10 The vpright shal inherit good things.1560 Bible (Geneva) Ps. vii. 10 God..preserueth the vpright in heart.1786 Paraphrases Ch. Scotland xxi. 1 Th' upright in heart alone have hope.in combination.1654 W. Allen Let. 6 Apr. in Coll. State Papers J. Thurloe (1742) II. 214 The honour God hath put uppon him..; I mean that of upright-heartednes to the Lord.1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 123 The best and most upright-minded men.1836 E. Cheap Going to Service xii. 140 An upright-minded girl.
a. Of persons: Adhering to or following correct moral principles; of unbending integrity or rectitude; morally just, honest, or honourable.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > [adjective]
righteOE
righteouseOE
right-doingOE
rightfullOE
justc1384
rekenc1400
justfulc1425
upright1530
right-up1539
right-minded1574
principled1697
well-minded1824
unwrongful1876
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 328/2 Upright, indifferent bytwene party and party, and nat affectionate, indifferent,..juste.
1560 Bible (Geneva) 2 Chron. xxix. 34 The Leuites were more vpright in heart to sanctifie them selues, then the Priests.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Ps. xi. 2.
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 7 That goodly, vpright, provident,..and reasonable creature.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso (1674) ii. xi. 149 The uprightest and most experienced Senator.
1700 J. Dryden Fables Pref. sig. *Bij I have..been an upright Judge betwixt the Parties in Competition.
a1720 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. ii. 142 They were found upright in their dealing.
1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 202 So upright Quakers please both Man and God.
1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham III. xiv. 233 I have always thought him the most upright and honourable of men.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 173 [He] bore through England the reputation of an upright and virtuous king.
1904 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (ed. 2) II. 296 She had been upright in her life.
b. Of the mind, qualities, actions, etc.: Marked or characterized by integrity or probity; having conformity or accordance with moral rectitude.
ΚΠ
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 29 Settyng themsefe in relygyouse housys ther quyetly to serve god & kepe theyr myndys upryght.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 2 Cor. vii. f. liiiv That we both may..haue therwith an vpryght harte to God.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Psalms xxxvii. 14 To slay suche as be of vpright conuersation.
1579 in W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue sig. B ij That we might serve..God..with an vpright righteousnes and holynes.
1623 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1848) II. 388 They sall giwe wnto thame thair trew and upricht counsall whan the same salbe askit.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 18 Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer..th' upright heart and pure. View more context for this quotation
1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical iii. 31 Have you any Use in your Country for Upright Honesty?
a1721 M. Prior Vicar of Bray & Sir T. More in Wks. (1907) II. 259 An upright and unprejudiced Conscience.
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 246 Those hearts should be reclaim'd, renew'd, upright.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia IV. viii. vi. 264 Now I see the fair promise of his upright youth.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) II. 458 Fair or upright dealing.
1848 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 III. viii. 473 The diligent and upright discharge of the duties.
1904 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (ed. 2) I. 415 His upright chivalrous conduct.
a. Scottish. True; undoubted; rightful; = right adj. 12. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > genuine, real
soothc888
soothlyc888
soothfastc1175
germanec1384
truea1398
sickera1400
upright?a1500
uncounterfeita1542
righteous1543
legitimate1551
truepennya1556
arrant1570
uncounterfeited1571
real1573
current1578
genuinal1599
unforged1610
unpretended1611
legitime1614
unabusinga1628
Lubish1632
genuine1639
undissembled1651
undissimulate1652
ingenuine1661
infallacious1677
real live1684
unfalsified1688
unmistaken1694
pukka1776
undissimulated1776
unassumed1818
uncynical1824
Simon Pure1834
sure-enough1837
unsimulated1840
straight-out1848
true blue1852
veritable1862
really (and) truly1864
authentic1868
true-metal1868
kosher1896
twenty-four carat1900
honest to goodness1905
echt1916
dinky-di1918
McCoy1928
twenty-two carat1962
right1969
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Cock & Fox l. 470 in Poems (1981) 22 Ȝe ar ȝour fatheris sone and air vpricht.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > [adjective] > in proper order
uprighta1529
untumbled1675
square1825
straight1831
Bristol-fashion1840
kempt1929
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Biiiiv Fansy and I we twayne..counterfeted our names we haue Craftely all thynges vpryght to saue.
1557 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandrie sig. C.iiiv Good husbandes that laye, to saue all thing vpright: for Tumbrels and cartes, haue a shed redy dight.
1630 J. Sherley in W. Bradford Hist. Plymouth Plantation (1856) 270 If it should please God ye one should faile.., yet ye other would keepe both recconings, and things uprighte.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective] > without deception
unfeignedc1374
honesta1400
rekenc1400
unfeigningc1400
entirec1430
sincere1539
pretenced1547
fraudless1580
uncoloured1585
unflatteringa1586
upright1587
undissembling1613
deceitless1628
single-hearted1804
undelusive1817
single-minded1836
undeceptive1846
1587 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Iland Brit. (new ed.) i. i. 2/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) I My purpose is to..deliuer such things as I intreat of in distinct and vpright order.
1606 T. Dekker Newes from Hell sig. G1 He had bene in vpright tearmes, an Vsurer.
10.
a. Stable, equable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > [adjective] > state
upright1551
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Miijv The quiete and vpright state of the body.
b. dialect. Sound in respect of health.
ΚΠ
1905 Eng. Dial. Dict. VI. 327/2 My horse is quite upright.
B. n.† 1. † b. = elevation n. 11, orthography n. 2. Obsolete.† c. A very steep declivity. Cf. perpendicular adj. 3. Obsolete. rare.
a. A vertical front, face, or plane. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [noun] > vertical line or plane
upright1563
perpendicular1604
downright1674
erect1676
the vertical1834
1563 J. Shute First Groundes Archit. sig. Civv This is the foundacion through the whiche we knowe and finde all the measures and vprightes belonging to the pillor.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 12 Shun too much carved Ornaments on that upright.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 15 Contracting the Balconies within the upright of a Colmn.
1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. viii. 141 You design the Balcony to project beyond the Upright of the Front.
1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 11 The springing of the Arch is skew'd back from the upright of the Jambs.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 55 The vacuities..left between the back of the sweep of the Arch, and the upright of the Wall it is turn'd from,..shou'd be fill'd up.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > representation > a plastic or graphic representation > graphic representation > drawing plans or diagrams > [noun] > a plan or diagram > elevation
upright1604
orthography1645
uprising1669
elevation1731
orthograph1875
1604 B. Jonson His Pt. Royall Entertainem. 1 The Pegme..Presented it selfe in a square and flat vpright, like to the side of a Citty.
a1652 I. Jones Most Notable Antiq. called Stone-Heng (1655) 56 The groundplot, with the uprights, and profyle of the whole work.
a1652 I. Jones Most Notable Antiq. called Stone-Heng (1655) 61 The upright of the work, as when entire.
1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 216 You may judge by the Upright, of the handsome Effect this Cascade would make.
1782 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 3) I. Suppl. sig. T1 There are not many uprights, but several ground plans of some of the palaces.
1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. Gloss. 1049 Upright..; a term rarely used.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > slope > [noun] > steep
cliffOE
cleevec1300
hangingc1400
braea1500
steep1555
steepness1585
proclivity1645
upright1712
sliddera1793
snab1797
scarp1802
escarpment1815
shin1817
escarp1856
hag1868
jump-off1873
inface1896
fault-scarp1897
scarping1909
fault-line scarp1911
steephead1918
jump-up1927
1712 J. Henley tr. B. de Montfaucon Trav. Italy vii. 108 The Lake runs..thro' the Mountain, till it comes to an upright, where there is a mighty Fall.
2.
a. An upright or vertical position; the perpendicular.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [noun]
perpendicularity1589
upright1683
perpendicular1787
the vertical1834
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 297 So that the Tympan may stand..towards an upright.
1851 W. Laxton Builder's Price Bk. 133 Plasterer's Work... Dubbing out..not to be allowed unless the work is out of an upright.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) Thick there wall's a little bit out of an upright.
1905 Times 30 Sept. 8/1 The mullion was much out of upright, and had..an iron stay.
b. That which lies immediately above a thing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > high position > position upon > [noun] > that which > that which lies immediately above
upright1768
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 217 Every man may do what he pleases upon the upright or perpendicular of his own soil.
3.
a. Something set or standing upright, erect, or vertical; a perpendicular stone, post, part, etc.In frequent use from c1790.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [noun] > vertical object or part
upright1742
set-up1841
upstand1847
1742 Defoe's Tour Great Brit. (ed. 3) I. 259 By which means the Uprights [of Stonehenge] are less liable to fall or swerve.
1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 131 The upright of c. has a square Hole in the upper End of it.
1786 J. Abercrombie Gardeners Daily Assistant 54 Uprights or growing stakes.
1789 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 459 Rectangle-triangle the figure we'll chuse, The Upright is Chance, and old Time is the Base.
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship I. 140 Vessels in harbour..have uprights [for awnings].
1845 J. Saunders Cabinet Pictures of Eng. Life: Chaucer 19 A beam laid cross-wise upon two uprights.
1854 W. H. Ainsworth Flitch of Bacon iv. iii A magnificent staircase of many turnings... The uprights on each landing were decorated with rampant nondescripts.
1883 R. Broughton Belinda II. iii. iii. 219 One of the spiked iron uprights of the gate.
1886 A. Symons in W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis Introd. p. xix ‘Hooke-nosoe’, should be ‘hook-nosde’; the upright of the d unluckily failed to print.
b.
(a) spec. One of the vertical members of a framing, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [noun] > vertical object or part > in a framework
uprighta1684
the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports > a vertical support, post, or stake > in a framework
stile1678
uprighta1684
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1666 (1955) III. 449 We found the main building to receede outward... We plumbed the Uprights in severall places.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §34 The outside timbers (since called the uprights) were seventy~two in number).
1807 Z. M. Pike Acct. Exped. Sources Mississippi (1810) i. App. 46 Part of the houses are framed, and..there are small logs let into mortises made in the uprights.
1851 J. Ruskin Stones of Venice I. i. 18 Timbers attached to uprights on the top of the nave pillars.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. IV 61 The greasy blackened wood Of the hall's uprights.
(b) spec. in Association Football, a goalpost (as opposed to the crossbar).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > [noun] > ground > goal-post or bar
goal1577
goalpost1842
crossbar1857
goal bar1862
side post1863
stick1876
bar1882
upright1910
1910 Glasgow Herald 14 Feb. 12/6 Barr..had little difficulty in placing the ball between the uprights.
1927 W. E. Collinson Contemp. Eng. 24 There were all the ‘Kennings’ in the sporting columns... Sphere for football, the uprights or sticks for the goalposts.
1951 Sport 27 Apr. 4/1 Bill rapped the upright with a penalty-kick.
1954 J. B. G. Thomas On Tour 72 Morkel hit an upright with his conversion attempt.
1977 Irish Press 29 Sept. 18/2 Mick Lawlor's 24th minute left-footed drive..hit the bottom part of the upright and rebounded into play.
c. (See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > male > [noun] > body and parts > antler > straight and unbranched
dagger1600
pricket1775
upright1856
dag1859
spike-horn1869
switch-horn1880
1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports i. x. 82/2 The Spire [has] a brow antler, and half-developed beam, called uprights; a Staggart, brow, tray, and uprights.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) A male deer of one year old has..one straight horn each side only, which we term his upright.
d. An upright pianoforte (see pianoforte n.1).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > stringed keyboards > [noun] > pianoforte > types of piano
grand pianoforte1784
square pianoforte1787
grand piano1795
cottage pianoforte1816
cottage piano1824
table piano1827
table pianoforte1827
tin kettle1827
grand1830
piccolo1831
Broadwood1832
semi-grand1835
pianino1848
cottage1850
square piano1853
street piano1855
upright1860
pianette1862
digitorium1866
Steinway1875
baby grand1879
square1882
tin pan1882
honky-tonk piano1934
minipiano1934
spinet1936
prepared piano1940
ravalement1959
rinky-tink1961
miniature1974
Mozart piano1980
1860 Builder 15 Sept. 588/1 The best grands and uprights of the present day.
1891 S. Fiske Holiday Stories (Boston ed.) vi. 154 The baby grands nestled between the larger instruments. The uprights looked..out of place.
e. A kind of fly-hook.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > hook > [noun] > hook baited with a fly
fly-hook1706
upright1878
tail-hook1888
1878 W. Nash Oregon vi. 135 The lawyer put on a ‘black palmer’ and a ‘blue upright’.
1892 Daily News 14 Apr. 3/1 The comparatively large uprights and browns are as fatal as ever to the smallest trout.
f. Basketry. A plane used for shaving skeins to a required width.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > shaping tools or equipment > plane > [noun] > other planes
rabat1440
long plane1665
strike-block1678
mitre plane1688
straight block1812
ice plane1823
side fillister1841
upright1842
scraping-plane1846
sun plane1846
beading plane1858
bead-plane1858
fluting-plane1864
panel plane1873
badger plane1874
shooting-plane1875
whisk1875
block planea1884
scraper-plane1895
chariot plane1909
shoulder plane1935
1842 Encycl. Brit. IV. 429/1 In order to bring the split into a shape still more regular, it is passed through another implement called an upright, consisting of a flat piece of steel, each end of which is fashioned into a cutting edge.
1907 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 11 Jan. 190/1 For finer work the rod is split into three or more skeins by a cleaver; the splits are then successively drawn through a shave to remove the central pith and through an upright to render them uniform in width.
1929 A. G. Knock Fine Willow Basketry 37 For most skein work the skeins can be used after being shaved, but for..extra fine skein work of other kinds they are made uniform in width and as narrow as required by being drawn through the upright.
1961 L. G. Allbon Basic Basketry iii. 18 Two specialized planes complete the process. The shave skims away the pith and renders the skein of even thickness; the upright straightens up the sides of the skein to an even width.
1981 T. W. Bagshawe Basket Making in Bedfordshire 16 (caption) Uprights for shaving to uniform width.
g. In a crossword puzzle, one of the clues whose solution is to be entered vertically in the frame.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > puzzle > [noun] > crossword puzzle > clue
clue1914
upright1917
1917 M. T. Hainsselin Grand Fleet Days xv. 96 How far have you got? Only as far as the ‘uprights’—Belgium and Berlin.
1967 Sci. Amer. Sept. 268/2 The first stanza gives clues for two words, called the uprights, that are spelled vertically by the initial and final letters of the words to which clues are given by the numbered stanzas.
4. An upright stratum; = arrect adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > sedimentary formation > [noun] > stratum > position or direction of strata > upright stratum
upright1811
1811 J. Pinkerton Petralogy II. 158 A mountain of a most regular structure; the arrects, or uprights, having their planes parallel to its great axis.
5. slang. (See quot. 1796.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > distilled drink > cocktail > [noun] > spirits and beer or ale
purl1659
flip1695
hotpot1698
humpty-dumpty1698
upright1796
dog's nose1823
cobbler's punch1865
horse's neck1903
1796 Sporting Mag. 8 107 [They] drank 57 quarts of upright, viz. a quart of beer with a quartern of gin in it.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
uprightv.
/ˈʌprʌɪt/, U.S. /ˈəpˌraɪt/ 1. transitive. To raise to an upright or vertical position; to erect. Also reflexive, figurative, and in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > upright or erect posture > set upright or erect [verb (transitive)]
rightOE
uprighta1340
erect1557
perka1591
pert1613
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restoration of a person > [verb (transitive)]
uprighta1340
to bring to (one's) statea1387
restorea1387
remount?c1400
reducec1425
redraw1480
reintegrate1495
restitutec1503
repair?1521
revocate1527
recall1567
redintegrate1578
rehabilitate1580
refetch1599
revindicate1609
re-estate1611
uprighten1618
redintegrate1622
restate1625
redeem1686
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > make vertical [verb (transitive)] > make upright or erect
rearOE
rightOE
to set upa1225
raisea1250
upreara1300
risea1400
to dress upc1400
stand?a1425
upsetc1440
dress1490
to stick up1528
arrect1530
erect1557
prick1566
upright1590
mounta1616
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restore [verb (transitive)]
recovera1382
recurea1382
reparela1382
instore1382
store1387
restorec1390
redressc1405
repeal1479
rectifya1529
restauratea1538
redeem1575
instaurate1583
upright1601
upseta1652
reficiate1657
rehabilitate1663
retrieve1665
re-establish1706
re-rail1914
rehab1961
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxii. 6 He vprightis þe pore out of þe fen of fleyssly lust.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxlv. 7 Lord vprightys þe smytyn down.
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons 30 They all vpright their piques.
1594 J. Smythe Certen Instr. Militarie 22 Then are they to saie to the first ranke Vpright your piques.
1601 S. Daniel Ciuill Warres (rev. ed.) vi. lxxiv. f. 92v, in Wks. It restes within your iudgementes to vpright.
1890 Standard 5 Apr. 6/3 I..assisted to upright the boat, which was baled out.
1893 Westm. Gaz. 16 Sept. 4/1 As soon as he had uprighted his machine [= bicycle].
1922 A. S. M. Hutchinson This Freedom iv. iv. 297 As she began to stoop over the fire she suddenly uprighted herself and turned upon her mother.
ΚΠ
1463 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 26 The forsaide Thomas til sek til his warande gif he hafe ony til vpricht him.
1480 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 411 That the saids persons acht til wpricht and assith him for hir.
1492 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 420 To amende and vpricht the skaitht done.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
uprightadv.
/ˈʌprʌɪt/, U.S. /ˈəpˌraɪt/ 1. † b. In a just manner; correctly. Obsolete. rare.
a. = uprightly adv. 1.
ΚΠ
1509 S. Hawes Conuercyon Swerers (de Worde) ix I sende you gretynge..& grace Right wel to gouern vpright your dominion.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 2 All seeke to lyue, but none to liue vpryght.
1591 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. i. 76 That thay may leif togidder in luif, upricht to God.
1624 J. Davies Psalm xiv Not one doth good, not one doth well, vpright.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > [adverb]
righteOE
righteouslyOE
justlyc1384
righteousa1400
uprightly1549
upright1601
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 585 In truth, if we will consider this pageant upright, we must needs confesse [etc.].
2. In a vertical direction; vertically upwards.
ΚΠ
1590 E. Webbe Rare & Wonderfull Things (new ed.) sig. B2v The wonderfull growing and swelling of the water vpright..to the height of a huge mountaine.
1591 J. Dee 27 June in Private Diary (1842) 38 Wownded on his hed by his own wanton throwing of a brik-bat upright, and not well avoyding the fall of it.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xx. 27 For all beneath the Moone Would I not leape vpright . View more context for this quotation
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. iii. 163 That Cannon-Ball,..shot in th' aire, point-blank, upright.
1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger Fires Improv'd 12 As for the Rays that go upright, nothing can hinder them from getting out at top of the Chimney.
1736 T. Gray Let. 8 May in Corr. T. Gray & W. Mason (1853) 4 Nor tempts he yet the plain, but hurl'd upright, Emits the mass.
3. dialect. Independently; on one's own means.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > independence > [adverb] > self-sufficiently
self-sufficiently1646
upright1823
self-dependently1847
self-reliantly1853
self-sustainingly1858
1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words 460 A live upright on 'a's forten.
1896 Westm. Gaz. 28 Apr. 2/1 I shall be able to retire and ‘live upright’, as the butler said.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
adj.n.OE
v.a1340adv.1509