Higher than the first sixteen characters? (4)
I believe the answer is:
atop
'higher than the first sixteen characters?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'higher than the first sixteen characters?' is the wordplay.
'higher than' means one lot of letters go next to another (some letters go above others).
'the first' becomes 'top' (top can mean the best or first).
'sixteen characters?' becomes 'a' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'top' after 'a' is 'ATOP'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for atop that I've seen before include "Surmounting" , "On the highest point" , "In superior position" , "in the gods?" , "Situated on" .)