a·bove 
(ə-bŭv)
(ə-bŭv)adv.
1. On high; overhead: the clouds above.
2. In heaven; heavenward.
3.
a. Upstairs: a table in the dining room above.
b. To a degree that is over zero: 15° above.
4. In or to a higher place.
5. In an earlier part of a given text: "Unlike the species discussed above, bees, ants, and wasps don't make males and females using combinations of special sex chromosomes" (Marlene Zuk).
6. In or to a higher rank or position: the ranks of major and above.
prep.
1. Over or higher than: a cool spring above the timberline.
2. Superior to in rank, position, or number; greater than: put principles above expediency.
3. Beyond the level or reach of: a shot that was heard above the music.
4. In preference to: chose quality above quantity.
5. Too honorable or proud to undertake: I am not above trying to bribe you. Do you think you are above bagging your own groceries?
6. More than: somewhat above normal temperature.
7. Upstream of: a dam positioned ten miles above the town.
8. North of: Minnesota is above Iowa.
n.
1. An earlier part of a given text: Refer to the above for that information.
2. The person or persons already referred to in a text: The above hereby affix their signatures.
adj.
Idiom: Appearing earlier in the same text: flaws in the above interpretation.
above all
Over and above all other factors or considerations: Above all, tell the truth.
[Middle English aboven, from Old English abūfan : a-, on; see A-2 + būfan, above; see upo in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]