Abo've. prep. [from a, and buꞅan, Saxon; boven, Dutch.]

1. Higher in place.

   So when with crackling flames a cauldron fries,
   The bubbling waters from the bottom rise;
   Above the brims they force their firy way;
   Black vapours climb aloft, and cloud the day. Dryden, Æneid vii. l. 643.

2. More in quantity or number.

   Every one that passeth among them, that are numbered from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. Exodus, xxx. 14.

3. Higher in rank, power or excellence.

   The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Psalm cxiii. 4.

   The public power of all societies is above every soul contained in the same societies. Hooker, b. i.

   There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart. Ecclesiasticus, xxx. 16.

                 To her
   Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place
   Wherein God set thee above her, made of thee,
   And for thee: whose perfection far excell'd
   Her's , in all real dignity. Milton's Paradise Lost, b. x. l. 147.

   Latona sees her shine above the rest,
   And feeds with secret joy her silent breast. Dryden's Æneid.

4. Superiour to; attainable by.

   It is an old and true distinction, that things may be above our reason, without being contrary to it. Of this kind are the power, the nature, and the universal presence of God, with innumerable other points. Swift.

5. Beyond; more than.

   We were pressed out of measure, above strength; insomuch that we despaired even of life. 2 Cor. i. 8.

   In this, of having thoughts unconfused, and being able, nicely to distinguish one thing from another, where there is but the least difference, consists, in a great measure, the exactness of judgment and clearness of reason, which is to be observed in one man above another. Locke.

   The inhabitants of Tirol have many particular privileges above those of the other hereditary countries of the emperour. Addison on Italy.

6. Too proud for; too high for. A phrase chiefly used in familiar expression.

   Kings and princes, in the earlier ages of the world, laboured in arts and occupations, and were above nothing that tended to promote the conveniences of life. Pope's Odyssey; notes.