Word Direct Answers

What does "above" mean?

Above: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.3. 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, prep. or adv., besides; in addition to.
  2. 3.In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above.
  3. 4.Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page. "That was said above." Dryden.
  4. 5.Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above.
  5. 6.More than; as, above five hundred were present. Note: 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.
  6. 7.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.

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