uppermost

Everyday

1. Highest, or at the very top: the uppermost shelf is the one nearest the ceiling. tree →
2. Most important in someone's mind: safety was uppermost in her thoughts. tree →
3. (adverb) Facing upwards or on top: lay the card face uppermost. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety it describes the top shelf, the top floor, or the side that faces up; in stories it tells you what a character cares about most. Phrases: uppermost in my mind, the uppermost layer, face uppermost, right side uppermost. In science, the uppermost layer of rock or soil is the top one, usually the youngest.

Examples

• The jam is on the uppermost shelf, so you need the step stool. tree →
• Put the box down with this side uppermost. tree →
• The uppermost branches of the tree swayed in the wind. tree →
• Getting home safely was uppermost in his mind. tree →
• The uppermost layer of the soil is called topsoil. tree →
• Place the photo face uppermost on the scanner. tree →
• We climbed to the uppermost floor of the tower. tree →
• The Sea King then led the Happy Hunter to the guest room, and placing him in the uppermost seat, he bowed respectfully before him, and said: tree →

Note

It has no comparative: something cannot be "more uppermost". It means the same as topmost; the opposite is lowermost or lowest. "Uppermost in my mind" means the thing I think about most.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life and safety it describes the top shelf, the top floor, or the side that faces up; in stories it tells you what a character cares about most. Phrases: uppermost in my mind, the uppermost layer, face uppermost, right side uppermost. In science, the uppermost layer of rock or soil is the top one, usually the youngest.

Examples

• and in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of baked food for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.' (Torah GEN.40.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

It has no comparative: something cannot be "more uppermost". It means the same as topmost; the opposite is lowermost or lowest. "Uppermost in my mind" means the thing I think about most.