top

• n. 顶部，顶端；上部；首席；陀螺
• vi. 高出，超越；结束；达到顶点
• vt. 超越，超过；给…加盖；达到…的顶端
• adj. 最高的，顶上的；头等的
• n. (Top)人名；(英、土、意)托普

词态变化

中文词源

来自古英语 top,顶部，顶端，来自 Proto-Germanic*tuppaz,顶部，顶端，词源同 tip.引申诸相 关词义。

英文词源

top

top: English apparently has two distinct words top. The one meaning ‘uppermost part’ [OE] came from a prehistoric Germanic *toppaz, whose original meaning seems to have been ‘tuft of hair on top of the head, topknot’: this sense survived into English, although it has now died out, and amongst the other descendants of *toppaz are German zopf ‘plait’.

The Germanic word was borrowed into Old French as top or toup ‘tuft of hair’, which is the ultimate source of English toupee [18]. And a variant of the base from which it was formed may lie behind English tip. Topple [16] is a derivative of top. It is generally assumed that top ‘spinning toy’ [11] is a different word, but it is not known where it came from.
=> tip, topple, toupée

top (n.1)

"highest point," Old English top "summit, crest, tuft," from Proto-Germanic *tuppaz (cognates: Old Norse toppr "tuft of hair," Old Frisian top "tuft," Old Dutch topp, Dutch top, Old High German zopf "end, tip, tuft of hair," German Zopf "tuft of hair"); no certain connections outside Germanic except a few Romanic words probably borrowed from Germanic.

Few Indo-European languages have a word so generic, which can be used of the upper part or surface of just about anything. More typical is German, which has Spitze for sharp peaks (mountains), oberfläche for the upper surface of flat things (such as a table). Meaning "highest position" is from 1620s; meaning "best part" is from 1660s. To go over the top is World War I slang for "start an attack," in reference to the top of the trenches; as "beyond reasonable limits, too far" it is recorded from 1968. Top of the world as "position of greatest eminence" is from 1670s. Top-of-the-line (adj.) is by 1950.

top (n.2)

"toy that spins on a point," late Old English top, probably a special use of top (n.1), but the modern word is perhaps via Old French topet, which is from or influenced by a Germanic source akin to the root of English top (n.1). As a type of seashell, first recorded 1680s.

top (v.)

"put a top on," 1580s, perhaps mid-15c., from top (n.1). Earlier "cut the top off, shave the head" (c. 1300). The meaning "be higher or greater than" also is first recorded 1580s. Meaning "strike (a ball) towards its top" is from 1881. Related: Topped; topping. To top off "to finish" is colloquial from 1836; in sense "fill up, add more to to bring to fullness" it is from 1917.

top (adj.)

"being at the top," 1590s, from top (n.1). Top dollar "high price" is from 1942. Top-drawer (1920) is from British expression out of the top drawer "upper-class." Top ten in popular music is from 1945 ("Billboard"). The top dog is the one uppermost in a fight, from 1868 in figurative use, opposed to the underdog.

But if the under dog in the social fight runs away with a bone in violation of superior force, the top dog runs after him bellowing, "Thou shalt not steal," and all the other top dogs unite in bellowing, "This is divine law and not dog law;" the verdict of the top dog so far as law, religion, and other forms of brute force are concerned settles the question. [Van Buren Denslow, "Modern Thinkers: What They Think and Why," 1880]

双语例句

1. Many of the clothes come from the world's top fashion houses.

这些服装中有很多出自世界顶级时装设计公司。

来自柯林斯例句

2. He sees himself going right to the top of the tree.

他预见自己在同行中将无人可及。

来自柯林斯例句

3. I pried the top off a can of chilli.

我揭开一罐辣椒的盖子。

来自柯林斯例句

4. McGregor's effort was enough to edge Johnson out of the top spot.

麦格雷戈奋力一搏，成功地将约翰逊从第一的位置上挤了下来。

来自柯林斯例句

5. Place the omelette under a gentle grill until the top is set.

将煎蛋饼放在烤架下用文火烘烤，直到表面凝固。

来自柯林斯例句