v. & n.
v. 1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by with) make or become full. 2 tr. occupy completely; spread over or through; pervade. 3 tr. block up (a cavity or hole in a tooth) with cement, amalgam, gold, etc.; drill and put a filling into (a decayed tooth). 4 tr. appoint a person to hold (a vacant post). 5 tr. hold (a position); discharge the duties of (an office). 6 tr. carry out or supply (an order, commission, etc.). 7 tr. occupy (vacant time). 8 intr. (of a sail) be distended by wind. 9 tr. (usu. as filling adj.) (esp. of food) satisfy, satiate. 10 tr. Poker etc. complete (a holding) by drawing the necessary cards. 11 tr. stock abundantly.
n. 1 (prec. by possessive) as much as one wants or can bear (eat your fill). 2 enough to fill something (a fill of tobacco). 3 earth etc. used to fill a cavity. fill the bill be suitable or adequate. fill in 1 add information to complete (a form, document, blank cheque, etc.). 2 a complete (a drawing etc.) within an outline. b fill (an outline) in this way. 3 fill (a hole etc.) completely. 4 (often foll. by for) act as a substitute. 5 occupy oneself during (time between other activities). 6 colloq. inform (a person) more fully. 7 sl. thrash, beat. fill out 1 enlarge to the required size. 2 become enlarged or plump. 3 US fill in (a document etc.). fill up 1 make or become completely full. 2 fill in (a document etc.). 3 fill the petrol tank of (a car etc.). 4 provide what is needed to occupy vacant parts or places or deal with deficiencies in. 5 do away with (a pond etc.) by filling. fill-up n. a thing that fills something up.
[ OE fyllan f. Gmc, rel. to FULL(1) ]