Chapter 1746

Top"man (?) , n. ; pl. Topmem (<?/) . 1. See Topsman , 2.

2. (Naut.) A man stationed in the top.

Topmast <Xpage=1519>

Top"mast (?) , n. (Naut.) The second mast, or that which is next above the lower mast, and below the topgallant mast.

Topmost <Xpage=1519>

Top"most` (?) , a. Highest; uppermost; as, the topmost cliff; the topmost branch of a tree .

The nightngale may claim the topmost bough. Cowper.

Topographer <Xpage=1519>

To*pog"ra*pher (?) , n. [Cf. F. topographe , Cr. <?/ .] One who is skilled in the science of topography; one who describes a particular place, town, city, or tract of land.

Dante is the one authorized topographer of the medi\'91val hell. Milman.

Topographic, a. Topographical <Xpage=1519>

Top`o*graph"ic (?) , a. Top`o*graph"ic*al (?) , [Cf. F. topographique .] Of or pertaining to topography; descriptive of a place. -- Top`o*graph"ic*al*ly , adv.

Topographical map . See under Cadastral . -- Topographical surveying. See under Surveying .

Topographist <Xpage=1519>

To*pog"ra*phist (?) , n. A topographer.

Topography <Xpage=1519>

To*pog"ra*phy (?) , n. [F. topographie , Gr. <?/; <?/ a place + <?/ to write.] The description of a particular place, town, manor, parish, or tract of land; especially, the exact and scientific delineation and description in minute detail of any place or region.

&hand; Topography , as the description of particular places, is distinguished from chorography , the description of a region or a district, and for geography , the description of the earth or of countries.

Brande & C.

Topology <Xpage=1519>

To*pol"o*gy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ place + -logy .] The art of, or method for, assisting the memory by associating the thing or subject to be remembered with some place. [R.]

<-- 2. a branch of mathematics. -->

Toponomy <Xpage=1519>

To*pon"o*my (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ place + <?/ to distribute.] The designation of position and direction.

B. G. Wilder.

Toppiece <Xpage=1519>

Top"piece` (?) , n. A small wig for the top of the head; a toupee.

Topping <Xpage=1519>

Top"ping (?) , a. 1. Rising above; surpassing.

2. Hence, assuming superiority; proud.

The great and flourishing condition of some of the topping sinners of the world. South.

3. Fine; gallant. [Slang]

Johnson.

Topping <Xpage=1519>

Top"ping , n. 1. The act of one who tops; the act of cutting off the top.

2. (Naut.) The act of raising one extremity of a spar higher than the other.

3. pl. That which comes from hemp in the process of hatcheling.

Topping lift (Naut.) , a large, strong tackle employed to raise or top the end of a gaff, or of a boom.

Toppingly <Xpage=1519>

Top"ping*ly , adv. In a topping or proud manner.

Toppingly <Xpage=1519>

Top"ping*ly , a. Same as Topping , a. , 3. [Obs.] " Topping quests."

Tusser.

Topple <Xpage=1519>

Top"ple (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Toppled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Toppling .] [From Top summit.] To fall forward; to pitch or tumble down.

Though castles topple on their warders' heads.

Shak.

Topple <Xpage=1519>

Top"ple , v. t. To throw down; to overturn.

He topple crags from the precipice. Longfellow.

Top-proud <Xpage=1519>

Top"-proud` (?) , a. Proud to the highest degree. [R.] "This top-proud fellow."

Shak.

Top-rope <Xpage=1519>

Top"-rope` (?) , n. (Naut.) A rope used for hoisting and lowering a topmast, and for other purposes.

Topsail <Xpage=1519>

Top"sail` (?) , n. (Naut.) In a square-rigged vessel, the sail next above the lowermost sail on a mast. This sail is the one most frequently reefed or furled in working the ship. In a fore-and-aft rigged vessel, the sail set upon and above the gaff. See Cutter , Schooner , Sail , and Ship .

Topsail schooner . (Naut.) See Schooner , and Illustration in Appendix.

Tops-and-bottoms <Xpage=1519>

Tops"-and-bot`toms (?) , n. pl. Small rolls of dough, baked, cut in halves, and then browned in an oven, -- used as food for infants.

'T is said that her top-and-bottoms were gilt. Hood.

Top-shaped <Xpage=1519>

Top"-shaped` (?) , a. Having the shape of a top; (Bot.) cone-shaped, with the apex downward; turbinate.

Top-shell <Xpage=1519>

Top"-shell` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of marine top_shaped shells of the genus Thochus , or family Trochid\'91 .

Topsman <Xpage=1519>

Tops"man (?) , n. ; pl. Topsmen (<?/) . 1. The chief drover of those who drive a herd of cattle.

P. Cyc.

2. The uppermost sawyer in a saw pit; a topman.

Simmonds.

Topsoil <Xpage=1519>

Top"soil` (?) , n. The upper layer of soil; surface soil.

Topsoiling <Xpage=1519>

Top"soil`ing , n. (Engin.) The act or art of taking off the top soil of land before an excavation or embankment is begun.

Topstone <Xpage=1519>

Top"stone` (?) , n. A stone that is placed on the top, or which forms the top.

Topsyturvy <Xpage=1519>

Top"sy*tur"vy (?) , adv. [Earlier topside-turvey , topsy-tervy ; probably for top so turvy ; that is, the top as turvy, as it were turvy; where turvy probably means, overturned, fr. AS . torfian to throw.] In an inverted posture; with the top or head downward; upside down; as, to turn a carriage topsy-turvy .

Top-tackle <Xpage=1519>

Top"-tac`kle (?) , n. (Naut.) A tackle used in hoisting and lowering the topmast.

Top-timbers <Xpage=1519>

Top"-tim`bers (?) , n. (Naut.) The highest timbers on the side of a vessel, being those above the futtocks.

R. H. Dana, Jr.

Top-toil <Xpage=1519>

Top"-toil` (?) , n. (Blacksmithing.) A tool applied to the top of the work, in distinction from a tool inserted in the anvil and on which the work is placed.

Toque <Xpage=1519>

Toque (?) , n. [F. toque ; of Celtic origin; cf. W. toc .] 1. A kind of cap worn in the 16th century, and copied in modern fashions; -- called also toquet .

His velvet toque stuck as airily as ever upon the side of his head. Motley.

2. (Zo\'94l.) A variety of the bonnet monkey.

Toquet <Xpage=1519>

To*quet" (?) , n. See Toque , 1.

Tor <Xpage=1519>

Tor (?) , n. [AS. torr ; cf. Gael. torr . Cf. Tower .]

1. A tower; a turret. [R.]

Ray.

2. High-pointed hill; a rocky pinnacle. [Prov. Eng.]

A rolling range of dreary moors, unbroken by tor or tree. C. Kingsley.

Torace, Torase <Xpage=1519>

To*race" (?) , To*rase" , v. t. [Pref. to- + OE . r<?/sen to rage.] To scratch to pieces. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Torbernite <Xpage=1519>

Tor"bern*ite (?) , n. [So named after Torber Bergmann, a Swedish chemist.] (Min.) A mineral occurring in emerald-green tabular crystals having a micaceous structure. It is a hydrous phosphate of uranium and copper. Called also copper uranite , and chalcolite .

Torc <Xpage=1519>

Torc (?) , n. Same as Torque , 1.

Torch <Xpage=1519>

Torch (?) , n. [OE. torche , F. torche a torch, rag, wisp, pad; probably from a derivative of L. torquere , tortum , to twist, because twisted like a rope; cf. F. torcher to rub, wipe, It. topcia a torch, torciare to wrap, twist, OF. torse a torse. Cf. Torture .] A light or luminary formed of some combustible substance, as of resinous wood; a large candle or flambeau, or a lamp giving a large, flaring flame.

They light the nuptial torch . Milton.

<-- 2. A flashlight. [Brit.] -->

Torch thistle . (Bot.) See under Thistle .

Torchbearer <Xpage=1519>

Torch"bear`er (?) , n. One whose office it is to carry a torch.

Torcher <Xpage=1519>

Torch"er (?) , n. One who gives light with a torch, or as if with a torch. [Obs.]

Shak.

Torchlight <Xpage=1519>

Torch"light` (?) , n. The light of a torch, or of torches. Also adjectively; as, a torchlight procession .

Torchon lace <Xpage=1519>

Tor"chon lace` (?) [F. torchon a kind of coarse napkin.] a simple thread lace worked upon a pillow with coarse thread; also, a similar lace made by machinery.

Torchwood <Xpage=1519>

Torch"wood` (?) , n. (Bot.) The inflammable wood of certain trees ( Amyris balsamifera , A. Floridana , etc.); also, the trees themselves.

Torchwort <Xpage=1519>

Torch"wort` (?) , n. (Bot.) The common mullein, the stalks of which, dipped in suet, anciently served for torches. Called also torch , and hig-taper .

Tore <Xpage=1519>

Tore (?) , imp. of Tear .

Tore <Xpage=1519>

Tore , n. [Probably from the root of tear ; cf. W. t\'a2r a break, cut, t\'a2ri to break, cut.] The dead grass that remains on mowing land in winter and spring. [Prov. Eng.]

Mortimer.

Tore <Xpage=1519>

Tore , n. [See Torus .] 1. (Arch.) Same as Torus .

2. (Geom.) (a) The surface described by the circumference of a circle revolving about a straight line in its own plane. (b) The solid inclosed by such a surface; -- sometimes called an anchor ring .

Toreador <Xpage=1519>

To"re*a*dor` (?) , n. [Sp.,fr. torear to fight bulls, fr.L. taurus a bull.] A bullfighter.

To-rend <Xpage=1519>

To-rend" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. To-rent .] [Pref. to- + rend .] To rend in pieces. [Obs.]

The wolf hath many a sheep and lamb to-rent . Chaucer.

Toret <Xpage=1519>

Tor"et (?) , n. [Probably dim. fr. tore , torus .] A Turret. [Obs.]

Toret <Xpage=1519>

Tor"et , n. A ring for fastening a hawk's leash to the jesses; also, a ring affixed to the collar of a dog, etc. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Toreumatography <Xpage=1519>

To"reu`ma*tog"ra*phy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/, <?/, embossed work, work in relief (from <?/ to bore through, to work in relief) + -graphy .] A description of sculpture such as bas-relief in metal.

Toreumatology <Xpage=1519>

To*reu`ma*tol"o*gy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ embossed work + -logy .] The art or the description of scupture such as bas-relief in metal; toreumatography.

Toreutic <Xpage=1519>

To*reu"tic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ belonging to work in relief.] (Sculp.) In relief; pertaining to sculpture in relief, especially of metal; also, pertaining to chasing such as surface ornamentation in metal.

Torgoch <Xpage=1519>

Tor"goch (?) , n. The saibling. [Prov. Eng.]

Torilto <Xpage=1519>

To*ril"to (?) , n. [Cf. Sp. torillo a little bull.] (Zo\'94l.) A species of Turnix ( Turnix sylvatica ) native of Spain and Northen Africa.

Torinese <Xpage=1519>

To`rin*ese" (?) , a. [It.] Of or pertaining to Turin. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Turin; collectively, the people of Turin.

Torment <Xpage=1519>

Tor"ment (?) , n. [OF. torment , F. tourment , fr. L. tormentum an engine for hurling missiles, an instrument of torture, a rack, torture, fr. torquere to turn, to twist, hurl. See Turture .] 1. (Mil. Antiq.) An engine for casting stones. [Obs.]

Sir T. Elyot.

2. Extreme pain; anguish; torture; the utmost degree of misery, either of body or mind.

Chaucer.

The more I see Pleasures about me, so much more I feel Torment within me. Milton.

3. That which gives pain, vexation, or misery.

They brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments . Matt. iv. 24.

Torment <Xpage=1519>

Tor*ment" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. tormented (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. tormenting .] [OF. tormenter , F. tourmenter .] 1. To put to extreme pain or anguish; to inflict excruciating misery upon, either of body or mind; to torture. " Art thou come hither to torment us before our time? "

Matt. viii. 29.

2. To pain; to distress; to afflict.

Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented . Matt. viii. 6.

3. To tease; to vex; to harass; as, to be tormented with importunities, or with petty annoyances . [Colloq.]

4. To put into great agitation. [R.] "[They], soaring on main wing, tormented all the air."

Milton.

Tormenter <Xpage=1519>

Tor*ment"er (?) , n. 1. One who, or that which, torments; a tormentor.

2. An executioner. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Tormentful <Xpage=1519>

Tor*ment"ful (?) , a. Full of torment; causing, or accompainied by, torment; excruciating. [R.]

Tillotson.

Tormentil <Xpage=1519>

Tor"men*til (?) , n. [F. tormentille ; cf. Pr., It., & NL. tormentilla , Sp. tormentila ; all fr. L. tormentum pain. So called because it is said to allay pain. See Torment .] (Bot.) A rosaceous herb ( Potentilla Tormentilla ), the root of which is used as a powerful astringent, and for alleviating gripes, or tormina, in diarrhea.

Tormenting <Xpage=1519>

Tor*ment"ing (?) , a. Causing torment; as, a tormenting dream . -- Tor*ment"ing*ly , adv.

Tormentise <Xpage=1519>

Tor"ment*ise (?) , n. [See Torment .] Torture; torment. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Tormentor <Xpage=1519>

Tor*ment"or (?) , n. 1. One who, or that which, torments; one who inflicts penal anguish or tortures.

Jer. Taylor.

Thoughts, my tormentors , armed with deadly stings. Milton.

2. (Agric.) An implement for reducing a stiff soil, resembling a harrow, but running upon wheels.

Hebert.

Tormentress <Xpage=1519>

Tor*ment"ress (?) , n. A woman who torments.

Fortune ordinarily cometh after to whip and punish them, as the scourge and tormentress of glory and honor. Holland.

Tormentry <Xpage=1519>

Tor"ment*ry (?) , n. Anything producing torment, annoyance, or pain. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

<page="1520"> Page 1520

Tormina <Xpage=1520>

Tor"mi*na (?) , n. pl. [L., a griping in the belly.] (Med.) acute, colicky pains; gripes.

Torminous <Xpage=1520>

Tor"mi*nous (?) , a. (Med.) Affected with tormina; griping.

Torn <Xpage=1520>

Torn (?) , p. p. of Tear .

Tornado <Xpage=1520>

Tor*na"do (?) , n. ; pl. Tornadoes (#) . [From Sp. or Pg. tornar to turn, return, L. tornare to turn, hence, a whirling wind. The Sp. & Pg. tornada is a return. See Turn .] A violent whirling wind; specifically (Meteorol.) , a tempest distinguished by a rapid whirling and slow progressive motion, usually accompaned with severe thunder, lightning, and torrents of rain, and commonly of short duration and small breadth; a small cyclone<-- twister -->.

Tornaria <Xpage=1520>

Tor*na"ri*a (?) , n. ; pl. Tornari\'91 (#) . [NL., fr. L. tornare to turn.] (Zo\'94l.) The peculiar free swimming larva of Balanoglossus. See Illust . in Append.

Torose <Xpage=1520>

To*rose" (?) , a. [L. torosus full of muscle, brawny, fleshy. See Torus .] Cylindrical with alternate swellings and contractions; having the surface covered with rounded prominences.

Torosity <Xpage=1520>

To*ros"i*ty (?) , n. The quality or state of being torose.

Torous <Xpage=1520>

Torous (?) , a. Torose.

Torpedinous <Xpage=1520>

Tor*ped"i*nous (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a torpedo; resembling a torpedo; exerting a benumbing influence; stupefying; dull; torpid.

Fishy were his eyes; torpedinous was his manner. De Quincey.

Torpedo <Xpage=1520>

Tor*pe"do (?) , n. ; pl. Torpedoes (#) . [L. torpedo , -inis , from torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid. See Torpid .]

1. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch fishes belonging to Torpedo and allied genera. They are related to the rays, but have the power of giving electrical shocks. Called also crampfish , and numbfish . See Electrical fish , under Electrical .

&hand; The common European torpedo ( T. vulgaris ) and the American species ( T. occidentalis ) are the best known.

2. An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them up. Specifically: --

(a) A quantity of explosives anchored in a channel, beneath the water, or set adrift in a current, and so arranged that they will be exploded when touched by a vessel, or when an electric circuit is closed by an operator on shore.

(b) A kind of small submarine boat carrying an explosive charge, and projected from a ship against another ship at a distance, or made self-propelling, and otherwise automatic in its action against a distant ship.

3. (Mil.) A kind of shell or cartridge buried in earth, to be exploded by electricity or by stepping on it.

4. (Railroad) A kind of detonating cartridge or shell placed on a rail, and exploded when crushed under the locomotive wheels, -- used as an alarm signal.

5. An explosive cartridge or shell lowered or dropped into a bored oil well, and there exploded, to clear the well of obstructions or to open communication with a source of supply of oil.

6. A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.