I. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: top (I) + side
1.
a. topsides plural : the top portion of the outer surface of a ship on each side above the waterline
b. : the portion of a ship above the main deck and usually below the top-hamper — distinguished from side
2. : high ranking personnel : the highest level of authority
the topside of the … armies and navies know about them — Newsweek
got straight from topside the picture of the war as it unfolded — Coast Artillery Journal
a former topside government information man — R.E.Jones
3. : a place actually or figuratively above another (as the surface of the earth or sea)
with a war surplus diving helmet, a painting machine air compressor and friends as a topside crew, started diving — New York Times
II. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adverb
1. also topsides : on deck
down in the engine room … quickly regretted ever having gone topside — Joseph Whitehill
2. : in or into a high position
to transport visitors topside , a businessman built the first cog railroad — B.M.Bowie
: on top
slept topside in the bunk
: to or on the surface
miners coming topside
3. : in a position of authority : at a top level of rank
charges of Communism topside — Newsweek