aloft

Everyday

1. Up in the air or high above the ground: the kite stayed aloft for an hour. tree →
2. Held up high: the captain held the cup aloft. tree →
3. (on ships) Up in the masts and sails. tree →

In the lessons

A slightly literary word in stories and sports reports (holding a trophy aloft), and in science about things that stay up in the air, like birds, balloons and aircraft. Phrases: hold aloft, stay aloft, keep aloft, go aloft.

Examples

• The winner held the trophy aloft. tree →
• Warm air keeps the hot-air balloon aloft. tree →
• The eagle stayed aloft without flapping its wings. tree →
• Sailors climbed aloft to fix the sail. tree →
• The kite was aloft for nearly an hour. tree →
• She held the torch aloft so we could see. tree →
• A Hawk observed it, and, pouncing upon it with his talons, carried it aloft. tree →

Note

It is not used before a noun: "the balloon is aloft", not "the aloft balloon". Literary; everyday words are "up in the air" or "high up".

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The passage says God "bore" the letters through water, fire and air, which fits the book's idea that the letters are the building blocks of creation. In the primary lessons: A slightly literary word in stories and sports reports (holding a trophy aloft), and in science about things that stay up in the air, like birds, balloons and aircraft. Phrases: hold aloft, stay aloft, keep aloft, go aloft.

Examples

• God has carried these through waters, He has borne them aloft through fire, and He has stamped them in the storms of the air; He has distributed them among the seven stars, and has assigned them to twelve celestial constellations. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) tree →

Note

It is not used before a noun: "the balloon is aloft", not "the aloft balloon". Literary; everyday words are "up in the air" or "high up".