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adv. 1. On high; overhead: the clouds above. 2. In heaven; heavenward. 3. a. Upstairs: a table in the dining room above. b. To a degree that is over zero: 15° above. 4. In or to a higher place. 5. In an earlier part of a given text: "Unlike the species discussed above, bees, ants, and wasps don't make males and females using combinations of special sex chromosomes" (Marlene Zuk). 6. In or to a higher rank or position: the ranks of major and above. prep. 1. Over or higher than: a cool spring above the timberline. 2. Superior to in rank, position, or number; greater than: put principles above expediency. 3. Beyond the level or reach of: a shot that was heard above the music. 4. In preference to: chose quality above quantity. 5. Too honorable or proud to undertake: I am not above trying to bribe you. Do you think you are above bagging your own groceries? 6. More than: somewhat above normal temperature. 7. Upstream of: a dam positioned ten miles above the town. 8. North of: Minnesota is above Iowa. n. 1. An earlier part of a given text: Refer to the above for that information. 2. The person or persons already referred to in a text: The above hereby affix their signatures. adj. Idiom: Appearing earlier in the same text: flaws in the above interpretation. above all Over and above all other factors or considerations: Above all, tell the truth. [Middle English aboven, from Old English abūfan : a-, on; see A-2 + būfan, above; see upo in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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