obenunten

obenunten is a German term used in descriptive and technical writing to indicate positions at both the upper and lower parts of a reference frame, such as a diagram, map, page layout, or architectural drawing. The term is formed from the adjectives oben (above) and unten (below) and is commonly written as a single word in specialized texts. Outside technical registers, its usage is uncommon.

Usage and meaning: In practice, obenunten signals placement relative to the top and bottom edges, often as a concise alternative to longer phrases like “both at the top and at the bottom.” It is most frequently found in fields such as cartography, architectural drafting, typography, and print design, where space is limited and precise positional cues are valuable.

Examples: A legend may be placed obenunten on a map frame to indicate its position along the top and bottom margins; print instructions might note obenunten alignment to ensure symmetric margins. In a schematic, labels could be described as positioned obenunten to reference their dual placement.

Variants and equivalents: More common in general language are “oben und unten” or “oben bzw. unten.” The compound form underscores a dual position but is less common outside manuals and technical guides.

See also: oben, unten, topography, page layout, design notation.