~ 1
■ noun
1》 the highest or uppermost point, part, or surface.
↘the leaves, stems, and shoots of a plant, especially those of a vegetable grown for its root.
2》 a thing or part placed on or fitted to the upper part of something.
↘a platform at the head of a ship's mast.
3》 a garment covering the upper part of the body.
4》 ( the ~ ) the highest or most important rank, level, or position.
↘the utmost degree: she shouted at the ~ of her voice.
↘( ~s ) informal a particularly good person or thing.
↘the high-frequency component of reproduced sound.
5》 chiefly Brit. the end that is furthest from the speaker or a point of reference: the house at the ~ of the road.
6》 a bundle of long wool fibres prepared for spinning.
7》 Physics one of six flavours of quark.
■ adjective
1》 highest in position, rank, or degree.
2》 chiefly Brit. furthest away from the speaker or a point of reference.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ping , ~ped )
1》 be more, better, or taller than.
↘be at the highest place or rank in.
2》 reach the ~ of (a hill, rise, etc.).
3》 provide with a ~ or ~ping.
↘complete (an outfit) with an upper garment, hat, or item of jewellery.
4》 Brit. informal kill.
5》 Golf mishit (the ball or a stroke) by hitting above the centre of the ball.
■ adverb ( ~s ) informal at the most.
Phrases
from ~ to bottom thoroughly.
from ~ to toe all over.
get on ~ of be more than (someone) can bear or cope with.
on ~
1》 on the highest point or surface.
2》 in a leading or the dominant position.
3》 in addition.
on ~ of
1》 so as to cover.
2》 in close proximity to.
3》 in control of.
4》 in addition to.
on ~ of the world informal very happy.
over the ~
1》 informal, chiefly Brit. to an excessive or exaggerated degree.
2》 chiefly historical over the parapet of a trench and into battle.
~ and tail Brit.
1》 remove the ~ and bottom of (a fruit or vegetable) while preparing it as food.
2》 wash the face and bottom of (a baby or small child).
~ dollar N. Amer. informal a very high price.
the ~ of the tree the highest level of a profession.
~ ten (or twenty etc.) the first ten (or twenty etc.) records in the pop music charts.
to ~ it all as a culminating, typically unpleasant, item in a series.
Phrasal verbs
~ something off
1》 finish something in a memorable way.
2》 US informal fill up a partly full tank with fuel.
~ out reach an upper limit.
~ something out put the highest structural feature on a building, typically as a ceremony to mark the building's completion.
~ something up chiefly Brit.
1》 add to a number or amount to bring it up to a certain level.
2》 fill up a partly full container.
Derivatives
~most adjective
~ped adjective
Origin
OE ~p (n.), of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 (also spinning ~ ) a conical, spherical, or pear-shaped toy that may be set to spin.
2》 used in names of ~ shells, e.g. strawberry ~ .
Origin
OE, of unknown origin.