Where does “upperworld” come from?

upperworld (English) comes from English World, from Middle English world, from Old English weorold, from Proto-West Germanic weraldi, from Proto-Germanic weraldiz, from Proto-Germanic weraz, from Proto-Indo-European wiHrós, from Proto-Indo-European weyh₁- — to chase, pursue; to suppress, persecute.

upperworld (English): The surface of the earth, as opposed to the underworld (Hades), or to underground or submarine places

Definitions

  1. The surface of the earth, as opposed to the underworld (Hades), or to underground or submarine places

Ancestry of “upperworld”, step by step

upperworld traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English World

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishWorldThe specific world, or any of several specific constituent worlds, that humans live in, among any other (real or possible) worlds
2Middle EnglishworldThe world, the planet; A dimension, realm, or...
3Old Englishweoroldworld
4Proto-West Germanicweraldiworld
5Proto-Germanicweraldizlifetime, worldly existence; mankind; world
6Proto-Germanicwerazman; husband
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanwiHrósman; husband; warrior, hero
8Proto-Indo-Europeanweyh₁-to chase, pursue; to suppress, persecute

via English upper

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishupperAt a higher level, rank or position; Situated on...
2Middle Englishupper
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weyh₁-