above Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an earlier section of a written text
    • for instructions refer to the above
  2. adjective satellite appearing earlier in the same text
    • flaws in the above interpretation
  3. adverb at an earlier place
    supra.
    • see above
  4. adverb in or to a place that is higher
    in a higher place; higher up; to a higher place.

WordNet

A*bove" preposition
Etymology
OE. above, aboven, abuffe, AS. abufon; an (or on) on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under. *199. See Over.
Definitions
  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.)
A*bove" adverb
Definitions
  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 1913