aloft

American  

[uh-lawft, uh-loft] / əˈlɔft, əˈlɒft /

adverb

1. high up; far above the ground.

2. Nautical.

   1. on the masts; in the rigging; overhead.

   2. (on a square-rigged sailing ship) in the upper rigging, specifically, on or above the lower yards (alow ).

3. in or into the air.

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preposition

1. on or at the top of.

   flags flying aloft the castle.

aloft British  

/ əˈlɒft /

adverb

1. in or into a high or higher place; up above

2. nautical in or into the rigging of a vessel

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Etymology

Origin of aloft

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English o loft, from Old Norse ā lopt “in the air”; equivalent to a- ¹ + loft