above

prep. [ OE. above, aboven, abuffe, AS. abufon; an (or on) on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under. √199. See Over. ] 1. In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; -- opposed to below or beneath. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fowl that may fly above the earth. Gen. i. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach. “Thy worth . . . is actions above my gifts.” Marlowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun. Acts xxxvi. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Surpassing in number or quantity; more than; as, above a hundred. (Passing into the adverbial sense. See Above, adv., 4.) [ 1913 Webster ]

above all, before every other consideration; chiefly; in preference to other things. [ 1913 Webster ]

Over and above, prep. or adv., besides; in addition to. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page. “That was said above.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. More than; as, above five hundred were present. [ 1913 Webster ]

Above is often used elliptically as an adjective by omitting the word mentioned, quoted, or the like; as, the above observations, the above reference, the above articles. -- Above is also used substantively. “The waters that come down from above.” Josh. iii. 13. [ 1913 Webster ] It is also used as the first part of a compound in the sense of before, previously; as, above-cited, above-described, above-mentioned, above-named, abovesaid, abovespecified, above-written, above-given. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Above the board or table. Hence: in open sight; without trick, concealment, or deception. “Fair and aboveboard.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This expression is said by Johnson to have been borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their cards, put their hands under the table. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Cited before, in the preceding part of a book or writing. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. On deck; and hence, like aboveboard, without artifice. Smart. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Mentioned or named before; aforesaid; mentioned or named earlier in the same text (in written documents). [ 1913 Webster WordNet 1.5 ]