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Webster 1913 Edition

Above

A-bove′

,
p
rep.
[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
.
Fowl that may fly
above
the earth.
Gen. i. 20.
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.
I saw in the way a light from heaven
above
the brightness of the sun.
Acts xxxvi. 13.
3.
Surpassing in number or quantity; more than;
as,
above
a hundred
. (Passing into the adverbial sense. See
Above
,
adv.
, 4.)
above all
,
before every other consideration; chiefly; in preference to other things.
Over and above
,
p
rep.
or
adv.
,
besides; in addition to.

A-bove′

,
adv.
1.
In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven;
as, the clouds
above
.
2.
Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page.
“That was said above.”
Dryden.
3.
Higher in rank or power;
as, he appealed to the court
above
.
4.
More than;
as,
above
five hundred were present
.
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.

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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Above

ABOVE'

, prep.
1.
Literally, higher in place.
The fowls that fly above the earth. Gen. i. 20.
2.
Figuratively, superior in any respect.
I saw a light above the brightness of the Sun, Acts, 26.
The price of a virtuous woman is above rubies, Prov. 31.
3.
More in number or quantity.
He was seen by above five hundred brethren at once, 1 Cor. 25.
The weight is above a tun.
4.
More in degree; in a greater degree.
Hannaniah feared God above many. Neh. vii. 2.
The serpent is cursed above all cattle. Gen. iii.
5.
Beyond; in excess.
In stripes above measure. 2Cor. xi.
God will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, 1 Cor. 10:13.
6.
Beyond; in a state to be unattainable; as things above comprehension.
7.
Too proud for.
This man is above his business.
8.
Too elevated in mind or rank; having too much dignity for; as
This man is above mean actions.
9.
It is often used elliptically, for heaven, or the celestial regions.
Let not God regard it from above, Job, 3.
The powers above.
10.
In a book or writing, it denotes before or in a former place, as what has been said above; supra. This mode of speaking originated in the ancient manner of writing, on a strip of parchment, beginning at one end and proceeding to the other. The beginning was the upper end.

ABOVE'

,
adv.
1.
Overhead; in a higher place.
2.
Before.
3.
Chief in rank or power. Deut. 28.
Above all is elliptical; above all considerations; chiefly; in preference to other things.
Above board; above the board or table; in open sight; without trick, concealment or deception. This expression is said by Johnson to be borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their cards, put their hands under the table.

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