above stairs
/əˌbʌv ˈstɝs/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.10 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
2
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
prep_phrase
In or pertaining to the part of a large house, typically the above-ground rooms, in which the owning family lives, contrasted with below stairs where the servants are accommodated.
British usage
Example Sentences
- "The Phyſician now arrived, and began to enquire of the two Diſputants, how we all did above Stairs? 'In a miſerable Way,' anſwered Thwackum."
- "She took him to a room above-stairs, and introduced him to a bed on which a magnified bolster, in yellow calico, figured as a counterpane."
- "He was found above-stairs in an empty room, searching the floor for something."
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /əˌbʌv ˈstɝs/
Usage
- Archaic
- British usage
- Uncountable