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