Note: This expression is said by Johnson to have been borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their cards, put their hands under the table. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
aboveboard — [adj] candid forthright, frank, honest, open, overt, right on*, square, straight, straightforward, straight from shoulder*, true, trustworthy, truthful, up front*, veracious; concept 404 Ant. deceitful, devious, lying, shady, underhanded… … New thesaurus
aboveboard — [ə buv′bôrd΄, ə buv′bôrd′] adv., adj. [ ABOVE + BOARD (table): orig. a card player s term for cards in plain view] without dishonesty or concealment [be open and aboveboard with me] … English World dictionary
aboveboard — index bona fide, candid, direct (forthright), ethical, honest, ingenuous, irreprehensible, moral … Law dictionary
aboveboard — (adj.) 1610s, from ABOVE (Cf. above) and BOARD (Cf. board) (n.1). A figurative expression borrowed from gamesters, who, when they put their hands under the table, are changing their cards. [Johnson] … Etymology dictionary
aboveboard — *straightforward, forthright Analogous words: open, *frank, candid: honest, *upright, scrupulous: *fair, impartial, just: ingenuous, unsophisticated, artless (see NATURAL) Antonyms: underhand, underhanded Contrasted words: furtive, covert … New Dictionary of Synonyms
aboveboard — I adjective without concealment or deception; honest their business was open and aboveboard straightforward in all his business affairs • Syn: ↑straightforward • Similar to: ↑straight, ↑square … Useful english dictionary
aboveboard — /euh buv bawrd , bohrd /, adv., adj. in open sight; without tricks, concealment, or disguise: Their actions are open and aboveboard. [1610 20; ABOVE + BOARD; so called from the requirement of keeping the hands above the table or board in order to … Universalium
aboveboard — adjective Above the board or table. Hence: in open sight; without trick, concealment, or deception. Fair and aboveboard. See Also: above board … Wiktionary
aboveboard — Synonyms and related words: artless, authentic, before one, bona fide, face to face, fair and square, forthright, foursquare, genuine, good faith, in broad daylight, in open court, in plain sight, in plain view, in public, in public view, in the… … Moby Thesaurus
aboveboard — a|bove|board [ ə bʌv,bɔrd ] adjective completely honest and legal: The transaction was totally aboveboard, so there was no reason to question it … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
