Tophus - Tormentry

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Tophus (?), n.; pl. Tophi (#). [NL.: cf. F. tophus a mineral concretion in the joint. See .] [Written also tofus.] 1. (Med.) One of the mineral concretions about the joints, and in other situations, occurring chiefly in gouty persons. They consist usually of urate of sodium; when occurring in the internal organs they are also composed of phosphate of calcium.
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2. (Min.) Calcareous tufa.
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Topi (?), n. An antelope (Damaliscus corrigum jimela) having a glossy purplish brown coat. It is related to the blesbok and is native of East Africa. Also, any of various related varieties of other districts south of the Sahara.
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Topiarian (?), a. [See .] Of or pertaining to the ornamental cutting and trimming of trees, hedges, etc.; practicing ornamental gardening. [R.] “The topiarian artist.” Sir W. Scott.
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All the pedantries of the topiarian art. C. Kingsley.
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Topiary (?), a. [L. topiarius belonging to ornamental gardening, fr. topia (sc. opera) ornamental gardening, fr. Gr. � a place.] Of or pertaining to ornamental gardening; produced by cutting, trimming, etc.; topiarian.
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Coloq. Topiary work , arbors, shrubbery, hedges, or the like, cut and trimmed into fanciful forms, as of animals, buildings, etc.
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Topic (?), n. [F. topiques, pl., L. topica the title of a work of Aristotle, Gr. topika, fr. topikos of or for place, concerning topoi, or commonplaces, fr. topos a place.] (a) One of the various general forms of argument employed in probable as distinguished from demonstrative reasoning, -- denominated by Aristotle topoi (literally, places), as being the places or sources from which arguments may be derived, or to which they may be referred; also, a prepared form of argument, applicable to a great variety of cases, with a supply of which the ancient rhetoricians and orators provided themselves; a commonplace of argument or oratory. (b) pl. A treatise on forms of argument; a system or scheme of forms or commonplaces of argument or oratory; as, the Topics of Aristotle.
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These topics, or loci, were no other than general ideas applicable to a great many different subjects, which the orator was directed to consult. Blair.
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In this question by [reason] I do not mean a distinct topic, but a transcendent that runs through all topics. Jer. Taylor.
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2. An argument or reason. [Obs.]
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Contumacious persons, who are not to be fixed by any principles, whom no topics can work upon. Bp. Wilkins.
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3. The subject of any distinct portion of a discourse, or argument, or literary composition; also, the general or main subject of the whole; a matter treated of; a subject, as of conversation or of thought; a matter; a point; a head.
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4. (Med.) An external local application or remedy, as a plaster, a blister, etc. [Obsoles.] Wiseman.
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Topic, a. Topical. Drayton. Holland.
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Topical (?), a. [Cf. F. topique, LL. topicus, Gr. �. See , n.] 1. Of or pertaining to a place; limited; logical application; as, a topical remedy; a topical claim or privilege.
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2. (Rhet. & logic) Pertaining to, or consisting of, a topic or topics; according to topics.
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3. Resembling a topic, or general maxim; hence, not demonstrative, but merely probable, as an argument.
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Evidences of fact can be no more than topical and probable. Sir M. Hale.
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Topically, adv. In a topical manner; with application to, or limitation of, a particular place or topic.
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Topknot (?), n. 1. A crest or knot of feathers upon the head or top, as of a bird; also, an ornamental knot worn on top of the head, as by women.
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A great, stout servant girl, with cheeks as red as her topknot. Sir W. Scott.
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2. (Zoöl.) A small Europen flounder (Rhoumbus punctatus). The name is also applied to allied species.
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Topless, a. 1. Having no top, or no visble fop; hence, fig.: very lofty; supreme; unequaled. “ The topless Apennines.” “Topless fortunes.” Beau. & Fl.
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2. wearing no clothes above the waist, said especially of women.
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3. featuring entertainment by women wearing no clothes above the waist; as, a topless go-go joint.
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Top-light (?), n. (Naut.) A lantern or light on the top of a vessel.
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Topman (?), n.; pl. Topmem (�). 1. See , 2.
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2. (Naut.) A man stationed in the top.
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Topmast (?), n. (Naut.) The second mast, or that which is next above the lower mast, and below the topgallant mast.
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Topmost (?), a. Highest; uppermost; as, the topmost cliff; the topmost branch of a tree.
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The nightngale may claim the topmost bough. Cowper.
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Topographer (?), 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.
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Dante is the one authorized topographer of the mediæval hell. Milman.
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{ Topographic (?), a. Topographical (?), }[Cf. F. topographique.] Of or pertaining to topography; descriptive of a place. -- Topographically, adv.
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Coloq. Topographical map . See under . -- Topographical surveying. See under .
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Topographist (?), n. A topographer.
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Topography (?), 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.
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☞ 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.
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Topologist (?), n. a mathematician specializing in topology. “A topologist is someone who doesn't know the difference between a donut and a coffee cup.”
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Topology (?), 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.]
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2. a branch of mathematics which studies the properties of geometrical forms which retain their identity under certain transformations, such as stretching or twisting, which are homeomorphic. See also .
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3. configuration, especially in three dimensions; -- used, e. g. of the configurations taken by macromolecules, such as superhelical DNA.
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Toponomy (?), n. [Gr. � place + � to distribute.] The designation of position and direction. B. G. Wilder.
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Toponym (?), n. 1. A name of a place.
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2. a name, as in the binomial name of a plant, based on, or derived from, a place name, or based on the location of the thing named.
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Toponymy (?), n. A system of toponyms; the use of toponyms. -- Toponymal (#), Toponymic (#), Toponymical (#), a.
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Topophone (?), n. [Gr. � place + Gr. � sound.] A double ear trumpet for estimating the direction from which sounds proceed, esp. for the use of navigators.
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Top out. (Building) To top off; to finish by putting on a cap of top (uppermost) course (called a Coloq. topping-out course ).
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Topper (?), n. 1. One that tops, in any sense of the verb; specif.: (a) A cover of a top layer or part. [Colloq.] (b) One that excels, surpasses, or is extraordinary of its kind. [Slang] (c) Any device for cutting off tops; as, a turnip topper. (d) One who tops steel ingots. (e) A three-square float (file) used by comb makers.
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2. A top hat. [Slang or Colloq.]
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3. Tobacco left in the bottom of a pipe bowl; -- so called from its being often taken out and placed on top of the newly filled bowl. Also, a cigar stump. [Slang]
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Toppiece (?), n. A small wig for the top of the head; a toupee.
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Topping (?), a. 1. Rising above; surpassing.
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2. Hence, assuming superiority; proud.
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The great and flourishing condition of some of the topping sinners of the world. South.
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3. Fine; gallant. [Slang] Johnson.
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Topping, n. 1. The act of one who tops; the act of cutting off the top.
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2. (Naut.) The act of raising one extremity of a spar higher than the other.
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3. pl. That which comes from hemp in the process of hatcheling.
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4. (Angling) The tail of an artificial fly.
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5. something placed on top of another thing, such as a sauce or garnish on food; as, a three-scoop banana split with three different toppings; an ice-cream cone with chocolate fudge topping.
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Coloq. Topping lift (Naut.), a large, strong tackle employed to raise or top the end of a gaff, or of a boom.
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Toppingly, adv. In a topping or proud manner.
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Toppingly, a. Same as , a., 3. [Obs.] “Topping quests.” Tusser.
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Topple (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Toppled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Toppling.] [From summit.] To fall forward; to pitch or tumble down.
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Though castles topple on their warders' heads. Shak.
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Topple, v. t. To throw down; to overturn.
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He topple crags from the precipice. Longfellow.
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Top-proud (?), a. Proud to the highest degree. [R.] “This top-proud fellow.” Shak.
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Top rake. (Mech.) The angle that the front edge of the point of a tool is set back from the normal to the surface being cut.
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Top-rope (?), n. (Naut.) A rope used for hoisting and lowering a topmast, and for other purposes.
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Topsail (?), 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 , , , and .
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Coloq. Topsail schooner . (Naut.) See , and Illustration in Appendix.
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Tops-and-bottoms (?), n. pl. Small rolls of dough, baked, cut in halves, and then browned in an oven, -- used as food for infants.
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'T is said that her top-and-bottoms were gilt. Hood.
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Top secret (?), a. 1. (Mil.) containing information whose disclosure could result in grave danger to the national security; -- the highest of the three commonly known levels of national security classification, the others being confidential and secret. The names of the higher levels of secrecy classification are themselves classified secrets.
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2. kept secret by very careful and strict rules for disclosure.
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Top sergeant (?), n. same as First Sergeant.
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Top-shaped (?), a. Having the shape of a top; (Bot.) cone-shaped, with the apex downward; turbinate.
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Top-shell (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of marine top-shaped shells of the genus Trochus, or family Trochidæ.
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Topsman (?), n.; pl. Topsmen (�). 1. The chief drover of those who drive a herd of cattle. P. Cyc.
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2. The uppermost sawyer in a saw pit; a topman. Simmonds.
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Topsoil (?), n. The upper layer of soil; surface soil.
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Topsoiling, n. (Engin.) The act or art of taking off the top soil of land before an excavation or embankment is begun.
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Topstone (?), n. A stone that is placed on the top, or which forms the top.
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Topsy-turvy (?), 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. . torfian to throw.] In an inverted posture; with the top or head downward; upside down; as, to turn a carriage topsy-turvy.
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Top-tackle (?), n. (Naut.) A tackle used in hoisting and lowering the topmast.
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Top-timbers (?), n. (Naut.) The highest timbers on the side of a vessel, being those above the futtocks. R. H. Dana, Jr.
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Top-tool (-t�l), 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.
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Toque (tōk), 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.
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His velvet toque stuck as airily as ever upon the side of his head. Motley.
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2. (Zoöl.) A variety of the bonnet monkey.
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Toquet (?), n. See , 1.
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Tor (?), n. [AS. torr; cf. Gael. torr. Cf. .]
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1. A tower; a turret. [R.] Ray.
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2. High-pointed hill; a rocky pinnacle. [Prov. Eng.]
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A rolling range of dreary moors, unbroken by tor or tree. C. Kingsley.
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{ Torace (?), Torase }, v. t. [Pref. to- + . r�sen to rage.] To scratch to pieces. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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{ Torah, Tora } (?), n.; pl. Toroth (#). [Heb. tōrāh.] (Jewish Lit.) (a) A law; a precept.

A considerable body of priestly Toroth. S. R. Driver.

(b) Divine instruction; revelation.

Tora, . . . before the time of Malachi, is generally used of the revelations of God's will made through the prophets. T. K. Cheyne.

(c) The Pentateuch or “Law of Moses.”

The Hebrew Bible is divided into three parts: (1) The Torah, “Law,” or Pentateuch. (2) The Prophets (Nevi'im in Hebrew) . . . (3) The Kethubim, or the “Writings,” generally termed Hagiographa. From the first letters of these three parts, the word “Tanakh” is derived, and used by Jews as the name of their Bible, the Christian Old Testament. C. H. H. Wright.
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{ Toran (?), Torana (?) }, n. [Skr. tōraṇa an arch, a gate.] (Indian Arch.) A gateway, commonly of wood, but sometimes of stone, consisting of two upright pillars carrying one to three transverse lintels. It is often minutely carved with symbolic sculpture, and serves as a monumental approach to a Buddhist temple.
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Torbernite (?), 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.
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Torc (tôrk), n. Same as , 1.
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Torch (tôrch), 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. .] 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.
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They light the nuptial torch. Milton.
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Coloq. Torch thistle . (Bot.) See under .
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Torchbearer (?), n. One whose office it is to carry a torch.
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Torcher (?), n. One who gives light with a torch, or as if with a torch. [Obs.] Shak.
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Torchlight (?), n. The light of a torch, or of torches. Also adjectively; as, a torchlight procession.
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Torchon 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.
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Torchon paper (?). [F. papier torchon.] Paper with a rough surface; esp., handmade paper of great hardness for the use of painters in water colors.
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Torch race. A race by men carrying torches, as in ancient Greece.
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Torch singer (?), n. one who sings torch songs.
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Torch song (?), n. a popular song with a sentimental theme of unrequited love or other form of unhappiness.
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Torchwood (?), n. (Bot.) The inflammable wood of certain trees (Amyris balsamifera, Amyris Floridana, etc.); also, the trees themselves.
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Torchwort (?), n. (Bot.) The common mullein, the stalks of which, dipped in suet, anciently served for torches. Called also torch, and hig-taper.
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Tore (?), imp. of .
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Tore, n. [Probably from the root of tear; cf. W. tór a break, cut, tóri to break, cut.] The dead grass that remains on mowing land in winter and spring. [Prov. Eng.] Mortimer.
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Tore, n. [See .] 1. (Arch.) Same as .
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2. (Geom.) same as .
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Toreador (?), n. [Sp., fr. torear to fight bulls, fr.L. taurus a bull.] A bullfighter.
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To-rend (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. To-rent.] [Pref. to- + rend.] To rend in pieces. [Obs.]
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The wolf hath many a sheep and lamb to-rent. Chaucer.
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Toret (?), n. [Probably dim. fr. tore, torus.] A Turret. [Obs.]
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Toret, 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.
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Toreumatography (?), 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.
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Toreumatology (?), n. [Gr. � embossed work + -logy.] The art or the description of scupture such as bas-relief in metal; toreumatography.
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Toreutic (?), 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.
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Torgoch (?), n. The saibling. [Prov. Eng.]
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Torilto (?), n. [Cf. Sp. torillo a little bull.] (Zoöl.) A species of Turnix (Turnix sylvatica) native of Spain and Northen Africa.
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Torinese (?), a. [It.] Of or pertaining to Turin. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Turin; collectively, the people of Turin.
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Torment (?), 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 .] 1. (Mil. Antiq.) An engine for casting stones. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.
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2. Extreme pain; anguish; torture; the utmost degree of misery, either of body or mind. Chaucer.
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The more I see
Pleasures about me, so much more I feel
Torment within me. Milton.
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3. That which gives pain, vexation, or misery.
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They brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments. Matt. iv. 24.
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Torment (?), 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.
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2. To pain; to distress; to afflict.
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Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. Matt. viii. 6.
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3. To tease; to vex; to harass; as, to be tormented with importunities, or with petty annoyances. [Colloq.]
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4. To put into great agitation. [R.] “[They], soaring on main wing, tormented all the air.” Milton.
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Tormenter (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, torments; a tormentor.
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2. An executioner. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Tormentful (?), a. Full of torment; causing, or accompanied by, torment; excruciating. [R.] Tillotson.
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Tormentil (?), 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 .] (Bot.) A rosaceous herb (Potentilla Tormentilla), the root of which is used as a powerful astringent, and for alleviating gripes, or tormina, in diarrhea.
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Tormenting (?), a. Causing torment; as, a tormenting dream. -- Tormentingly, adv.
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Tormentise (?), n. [See .] Torture; torment. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Tormentor (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, torments; one who inflicts penal anguish or tortures. Jer. Taylor.
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Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings. Milton.
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2. (Agric.) An implement for reducing a stiff soil, resembling a harrow, but running upon wheels. Hebert.
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Tormentress (?), n. A woman who torments.
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Fortune ordinarily cometh after to whip and punish them, as the scourge and tormentress of glory and honor. Holland.
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Tormentry (?), n. Anything producing torment, annoyance, or pain. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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