Above \A*bove"\, adv.

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.

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. 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Above \A*bove"\, prep. [OE. above, aboven, abuffe, AS. abufon; an (or on) on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under. [root]199. See Over.]

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.)

above all, before every other consideration; chiefly; in preference to other things.

Over and above, prep. or adv., besides; in addition to.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)