Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

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 : WordNet®

above
     adj : appearing earlier in the same text; "flaws in the above
           interpretation"

above
     adv 1: at an earlier place; "see above" [syn: {supra}] [ant: {below}]
     2: in or to a place that is higher [syn: {higher up}, {in a
        higher place}, {to a higher place}] [ant: {below}]