above

Multiple Entries:
  above    par  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
above/əˈbʌv/

▶preposition & adverb

• 1 at a higher level or rank than.

  ■ higher than a particular amount or rate.

• 2 in preference to.

• 3 [as adv.] (in printed text) mentioned earlier.

– phrases
above all (else) more so than anything else.
above board legitimate and honest.
above oneself conceited.
not be above be capable of stooping to (an unworthy act).

– origin OE abufan, from a- ‘on’ + bufan (from bi ‘by’ + ufan ‘above’).

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
par/pɑː(r)/

▶noun

• 1 Golf the number of strokes a first-class player should normally require for a particular hole or course.

  ■ a score of this number of strokes at a hole.

• 2 (usu. in phr. above or below or under par, or on a par with) the usual or expected level or amount.

• 3 Stock Exchange the face value of a share or other security, as distinct from its market value.

  ■ (also par of exchange) the recognized value of one country's currency in terms of another's.

▶verb (pars, parring, parred) Golf play (a hole) in par.

– phrases
par for the course what is normal or expected in any given circumstances.

– origin C16 (in the sense ‘equality of value or standing’): from L., ‘equal’, also ‘equality’.