Up-ōn', prep.

prep. [From up and on; A-S. uppan, uppon.] On;—used in all the senses of that word, with which it is interchangeable.

Thou shalt take of the blood . . . upon the altar. Ex. xxix. 21.

As I did stand my watch upon the hill. Shak.

He made a great difference between people that did rebel upon wantonness, and them that did rebel upon want. Bacon.

The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. Judg. xvi. 9.

This advantage we lost upon the invention of fire-arms. Addison.

Upon the whole, it will be necessary to avoid that perpetual repetition of the same epithets which we find in Homer. Pope.

He had abandoned the frontiers, retiring upon Glasgow. W. Scott.

Philip swore upon the Evangelists to abstain from aggression in my absence. Landor.

Upon conveys a more distinct notion than on carries with it of something that literally or metaphorically bears or supports. It is less employed than it used to be, the contracted form on having for the most part taken its place. Some expressions formed with it belong only to old style; as, upon pity they were taken away; that is, in consequence of pity; upon the rate of thirty thousand; that is, amounting to the rate.

To assume upon (Law), to promise; to undertake.—To take upon, to assume.