over and above, phr.
[The two words, over and above, used pleonastically for emphasis.]
A. as prep.
1. Above in rank, in a superior position to; = over prep. 8. rare.
| c 1449 Pecock Repr. 418 Ech preest is ouer and aboue a deken..and ech deken is ouer and aboue a lay persoon. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. vii. 239 That special pre-eminence, which the king hath, over and above all other persons. |
2. In addition to, besides; = over prep. 10.
| 1521 St. Papers Hen. VIII, I. 23 The Kynge, over and above thys, signifieth unto Your Grace oon of hys owne secrete devisis. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. vii. 7 Ouer and aboue al that it had cost him. 1654 Bramhall Just Vind. vi. (1661) 123 Over and above all the former grounds which the Romanists themselves do in some sort acknowledg. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. vi. 86 Both were..subject (over and above all other renders) to the oath of fealty. 1885 Manch. Exam. 5 June 5/3 There ought..to have been an army over and above these garrisons, ready to be moved..to a threatened point. |
3. More than: = over prep. 11. rare.
| 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 135 There be (saith Fabian),..or at those dayes were, over and above .xl. thousand knightes fees. |
B. as adv.
1. In addition, besides; = over adv. 8, 10.
| 1588 Parke tr. Mendoza's Hist. China 391 They had so great affection vnto them, that ouer and aboue they sent them good charity. 1681 R. L'Estrange Tully's Offices 120 Not that I would serve a good man ever the less, for being Rich over and above. 1723 Dk. Wharton True Briton No. 25 I. 217 Alexander not only forgave the Affront..but gave the poor Fellow his Freedom over and above. 1849 F. W. Newman The Soul iv. 175 When that other, who is the sole teacher, is, over and above, younger than many who are to be taught. |
2. (Qualifying an adj.) Overmuch, too much, too; = over adv. 11, over- 28. Obs. exc. dial.
| 1749 Fielding Tom Jones iii. vi, Mrs. Blifil..was not over and above pleased with the Behaviour of her Husband. 1809 Malkin Gil Blas x. ii. ¶3 Your mother..is not over and above hale and hearty herself. 1824 Mrs. Cameron Marten & Scholars v. 31 May be Dainty won't let his mule go, he is so over and above particular. |
b. attrib. or as adj. Overmuch, too great, excessive; = over a. 4, over- 29. rare.
| 1865 Leslie & Taylor Sir J. Reynolds II. vii. 257 His over-and-above attention to his fame. |