above
above definition
above (ə buv′)
adverb
- in, at, or to a higher place; overhead; up
- in or to heaven
- at a previous place (in a piece of writing): often used in hyphenated compounds above-mentioned
- higher in power, status, etc.
Etymology: ME above(n) < OE abūfan, onbūfan, overhead, above < on-, intens. + bufan < be, by + ufan, over, on high
- higher than; over; on top of
- beyond; past the road above the village
- at a point upstream of
- superior to; better than above the average
- too honorable to engage in she was not above cheating
- too proud, important, etc. to engage in he was above helping with the dishes
- in excess of; more than above fifty dollars
adjective
placed, found, mentioned, etc. above or earlier as stated in the above rules
noun
something or someone listed or mentioned above
above Idioms
above all
most of all; mainly
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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