above stairs

alternative above-stairs · alternative abovestairs

1. archaicUpstairs; in or on an upper floor.

   He was found above-stairs in an empty room, searching the floor for something.

   1901, M. P. Shiel, The Lord of the Sea

   2 more examples

   The Phyſician now arrived, and began to enquire of the two Diſputants, how we all did above Stairs? 'In a miſerable Way,' anſwered Thwackum.

   1749, Henry Fielding, “Containing Matter Rather Natural than Pleasing”, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume II, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, page 183

   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.

   1877 February, Henry James, Jr., chapter XIX, in The American, Boston, Mass.: James R[ipley] Osgood and Company, […], published 5 May 1877, →OCLC, page 334

2. UKhistoricalIn 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.

1. archaicuncountableThe part of a building above the ground level.