Upper South

proper noun

1. The northern part of the South (Southern United States), typically consisting of North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma, sometimes also inclusive of southern Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, eastern/southern/western Maryland, and southern Delaware. Holonyms: South < United States, United States of America, U.S., US, USA < North America < Earth < Solar System < Orion Arm < Milky Way < Local Group < Virgo Supercluster < Laniakea < Universe
2. In the American Civil War, those Confederate states which did not secede until after Fort Sumter: Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.