Middle English Dictionary Entry

upon adv.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. on adv.(1), her-upon adv., ther-upon adv., wher-upon adv. & conj.
1a.
(a) Above or upon in space, thereon; on top; also, on the surface; (b) in a position of suspension, up; also, on a tree, thereon; (c) ?from above; ?down on someone; (d) putten ~ to (upon), to lay (sth.) on (sth.); also in fig. context; (e) comen (fallen) ~, to attack.
1b.
(a) With ref. to the wearing of clothing or armor: don ~, to don (an item of apparel); haven ~, be wearing (sth.); weren ~, wear (sth.); (b) beren (haven) ~, to bear (bark, a mark).
2.
3.
In misc. phrases: (a) loken ~, to look on, observe; lokere ~, an observer; lokinge ~, observing; (b) leven ~, to believe in someone [used redundantly following prep. phrase]; thinken ~, bear something in mind; (c) beren on honde ~, to make an accusation against (sb.); (d) ben ~ to, to have authority over (sb. or sth.), be in charge of.
4.
(a) In addition; putten ~ over (to), to add (sth.) to (sth.); (b) afterward, thereafter; also, in conjunctive phrase: ~ as, as soon as (sth. occurs); an-on (sone) ~, soon thereafter.