I. ə-ˈbəv 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