TOP


Meaning of TOP in English

I. ˈtäp noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zopf tip, tuft of hair

Date: before 12th century

1.

a.

(1) : the highest point, level, or part of something : summit , crown

(2) : the head or top of the head — used especially in the phrase top to toe

(3) : the head of a plant ; especially : the aboveground part of a plant having edible roots

beet top s

(4) : a garment worn on the upper body

b.

(1) : the highest or uppermost region or part

(2) : the upper end, edge, or surface

2. : a fitted, integral, or attached part or unit serving as an upper piece, lid, or covering

3.

a. : a platform surrounding the head of a lower mast that serves to spread the topmast rigging, strengthen the mast, and furnish a standing place for men aloft

b. : a comparable part of the superstructure ; especially : such a part on a warship used as a fire-control station or antiaircraft gun platform

4.

a. : the highest degree or pitch conceivable or attained : acme , pinnacle

b. : the loudest or highest range of a sound

5.

a. : the part that is nearest in space or time to the source or beginning

b. : the first half of an inning in baseball

6.

a.

(1) : the highest position (as in rank or achievement)

(2) : a person or thing at the top

b. plural : aces and kings in a hand or the three highest honors in a suit

7. : the choicest part : cream , pick

8. : a forward spin given to a ball (as in golf or billiards) by striking it on or near the top or above the center ; also : the stroke so given

9. : a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of + 2/3 and a measured energy of approximately 175 GeV ; also : the flavor characterizing this particle

• topped ˈtäpt adjective

- off the top of one's head

- on top of

- on top of the world

- over the top

II. verb

( topped ; top·ping )

Date: 1509

transitive verb

1. : to remove or cut the top of ; especially : to shorten or remove the top of (a plant) : pinch 1b

2.

a. : to cover with a top or on the top : provide, form, or serve as a top for

b. : to supply with a decorative or protective finish or final touch

c. : to resupply or refill to capacity — usually used with off

topped off the tank

d. : to complete the basic structure of (as a high-rise building) by putting on a cap or uppermost section — usually used with out or off

e. : to bring to an end or climax — usually used with off

the event was topped off with a relay race — Paula Rodenas

3.

a. : to be or become higher than : overtop

top s the previous record

b. : to be superior to : excel , surpass

c. : to gain ascendancy over : dominate

4.

a. : to rise to, reach, or be at the top of

b. : to go over the top of : clear , surmount

5. : to strike (a ball) above the center thereby imparting topspin

intransitive verb

1. : to make an end, finish, or conclusion

2. : to reach a summit or crest — usually used with off or out

III. adjective

Date: 1556

1. : of, relating to, or being at the top : uppermost

2. : chief , leading

one of the world's top journalists

3. : of the highest quality, amount, or degree

top value

top form

IV. noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English

Date: 14th century

: a commonly cylindrical or conoidal device that has a tapering point on which it is made to spin and that is used especially as a toy

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.