- top
- toptop1 [täp]n.[ME < OE topp, akin to ON toppr, tuft, top, Ger zopf, tuft of hair, summit]1. Obs.a) a tuft of hairb) the hair of the head2. the head, or crown of the head: now chiefly in top to toe3. the upper or highest part, section, point, or surface of anything [the top of a hill]4. the part of a plant that grows above ground [beet tops]5. something that constitutes the uppermost part or covering of something else; specif.,a) a lid, cover, cap, etc. [a box top, bottle top]b) the upper part of an automobile body, esp. a folding roof or coverc) a platform around the head of each lower mast of a sailing ship, to which the rigging of the topmast is attached6.a) the upper part of a two-piece garment, esp. for a woman [a pajama top]b) any upper garment for a woman, often, specif., one other than a shirt or blouse7. a person or thing first in order, excellence, importance, etc.; specif.,a) the highest degree or pitch; zenith; acme [at the top of one's voice, the top of one's career]b) the highest rank, position, etc. [at the top in one's profession]c) a person in this rank, etc.d) the choicest part; pick; cream [the top of the crop, top of the morning]e) the beginning, as of a piece of music [take it from the top ]☆ f) Baseball the first half ( of an inning)8. [pl.] Slang something or someone that is preeminent in quality, ability, popularity, etc.; the very best: used predicatively (often with the)9. [pl.] Card Games the highest cards of a suit10. Chem. the most volatile part of a mixture11. Sportsa) a stroke that hits the ball above center or near its topb) the forward spin given the ball by such a strokeadj.of, situated at, or being the top; uppermost, highest, greatest, or foremost [the top drawer, top honors]vt.topped, topping1. to take off the top of (a plant, etc.)2.a) to provide or cover with a topb) to put or place on the top of3. to be a top for4. to reach the top of; be on a level with5. to exceed in amount, height, degree, etc. [a fish topping 75 pounds]6. to be better, more effective, funnier, etc. than; surpass; outdo7. to go over the top of (a rise of ground, etc.)8. to be at the top of; head; lead9. Chem. to remove the volatile parts from by distillation10. Dyeing to finish with a certain dye11. Sportsa) to hit or stroke (a ball) at a point above its center or near its top, giving it a forward spinb) to make (a stroke) by hitting the ball in this wayvi.to top someone or something (in any sense)——————☆ blow one's topsee BLOW ONE'S STACK at BLOW1——————off the topSlang from gross income——————☆ off the top of one's headspeaking offhand, without careful thought——————on topat the top; successful——————on top of1. on or at the top of2. resting upon3. in addition to; besides4. following immediately after5. controlling successfully——————over the top1. over the front of a trench, as in attacking2. exceeding the assigned quota or goal3. Informal beyond the limits of good taste, propriety, or self-restraint; excessive——————top off1. to complete by adding a finishing touch2. Informal to fill to the top——————☆ top out1. to complete the skeleton or framework of (a building, esp. a skyscraper)2. to fill or rise to the top3. to reach a peak, maximum, etc.——————top up Chiefly Brit.1. to fill to the top2. to increase to the highest level, amount, etc.top2 [täp]n.[< OE, prob. special use of TOP1]a child's cone-shaped toy, spun on its pointed end——————sleep like a topto sleep soundly
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.