above

above [ə buv′]

adv.

[ME above(n) < OE abūfan, onbūfan, overhead, above < on-, intens. + bufan < be, BY + ufan, over, on high]

1. in, at, or to a higher place; overhead; up

2. in or to heaven

3. at a previous place (in a piece of writing): often used in hyphenated compounds [above-mentioned]

4. higher in power, status, etc.

prep.

1. higher than; over; on top of

2. beyond; past [the road above the village]

3. at a point upstream of

4. superior to; better than [above the average]

5.

a) too honorable to engage in [she was not above cheating]

b) too proud, important, etc. to engage in [he was above helping with the dishes]

6. in excess of; more than [above fifty dollars]

adj.

placed, found, mentioned, etc. above or earlier [as stated in the above rules]

n.

something or someone listed or mentioned above

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above all

most of all; mainly