Upland
/ˈʌp.lænd/noun
Land situated at a higher elevation than the surrounding area.
Did you know?The word is a straightforward Germanic compound rather than an occult term, but its first element, “up,” reaches back to a very ancient root also connected with words such as “over” and “super.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*upo
“Up from beneath, upward, or under/near; the ancient root behind Germanic “up.””
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lendh-
“Land, open ground, or heath; the probable ancient root behind Germanic “land.””
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*upp-
“Upward, aloft, or on high.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*landą
“Land, ground, or territory.”
Old English
OE
upp + land
“A compound meaning high land or land situated above surrounding ground.”
Middle English
English
upland
“Elevated country or high-lying land.”
Modern English
English
upland
“Land higher than the surrounding region, often contrasted with lowland.”