Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-BOVE', prep. [Sax. abufan, bufan, bufon, D. boven.]

1. Literally, higher in place. The fowls that fly above the earth. – Gen. ii.
2. Figuratively, superior in any respect. I saw a light above the brightness of the sun. – Acts xxvi. The price of a virtuous woman is above rubies. – Prov. xxxi.
3. More in number or quantity; as, the weight is above a tun. He was seen by above five hundred brethren at once. – 1 Cor. xv. 6.
4. More in degree; in a greater degree. Hananiah feared God above many. – Neh. vii. 2. The serpent is cursed above all cattle. – Gen. iii.
5. Beyond; in excess. In stripes above measure. – 2 Cor. lxi. God will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able. – 1 Cor. x. 13.
6. Beyond; in a state to be unattainable; as, things above comprehension.
7. Too proud for; as, this man is above his business.
8. Too elevated in mind or rank; having too much dignity for; as, this man is above mean actions.
9. It is often used elliptically, for heaven, or the celestial regions; as, the powers above. Let not God regard it from above. – Job iii.
10. In a book or writing, it denotes before or in a former place as, what has been said above; supra. This mode of speaking originated in the ancient manner of writing, a strip of parchment, beginning at one end and proceeding to the other. The beginning was the upper end.