above

I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English abufan, from a- + bufan above, from be- + ufan above; akin to Old English ofer over Date: before 12th century 1. a. in the sky ; overhead <

the clouds above

> b. in or to heaven 2. a. in or to a higher place b. higher on the same page or on a preceding page c. upstairs d. above zero <

10 degrees above

> 3. in or to a higher rank or number <

30 and above

> 4. archaic in addition ; besides 5. upstage II. preposition Date: before 12th century 1. a. in or to a higher place than ; over b. upriver of 2. a. superior to (as in rank, quality, or degree) b. out of reach of <

above suspicion

> c. in preference to d. too proud or honorable to stoop to <

not above taking undue credit

> 3. exceeding in number, quantity, or size ; more than <

men above 50 years old

> 4. as distinct from and in addition to <

heard the whistle above the roar of the crowd

> III. noun (plural above) Date: 13th century 1. a. something that is above b. a person whose name is written above 2. a. a higher authority b. heaven Usage: Although still objected to by some, the use of above as a noun in sense 1a <

none of the above

> <

the above is Theseus's opinion — William Blake

> and as an adjective <

without the above reserve — O. W. Holmes †1935

> <

I was brought up on the above words — Viscount Montgomery

> has been long established as standard. IV. adjective Date: 1604 written or discussed higher on the same page or on a preceding page Usage: see above III