a. Now rare. Also erron. topful. [f. TOP sb.1 + FULL a.]

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  Full to the top; brim-full.

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1553.  Bale, Gardiner’s De vera Obed., G vj b. As it were a vessell being toppe full of water.

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1617.  Moryson, Itin., III. 49. A huge great purse top full of gold.

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1762.  Sterne, Tr. Shandy, V. xxxviii. My father drew in his lungs topfull of air.

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1827.  G. Darley, in Q. Rev., July (1902), 186. Both go tottering, tattling home Topful of wine as well as glee.

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  † b.  transf. Said of that which fills (to the top): brimming. Obs. rare.

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1602.  Dolman, La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1618), III. 769. If one cast into the same so toppefull water, some heauy thing, the water … will swell onely.

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1608.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. IV. Decay, 52. Achab’s House, whose cursed wickednesse Was now top-full.

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  c.  fig.

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1579.  Tomson, Calvin’s Serm. Tim., 944/1. We shall haue the measure of our perfection and of all good workes toppefull.

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1648.  Darnell, in I. Basire’s Corr. (1831), 74. Topfull of busines as I am.

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1751.  R. Paltock, P. Wilkins, xiv. (1883), 46/1. Top-full of these thoughts, I re-entered my grotto.

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1881.  Fairbairn, Stud. Life Christ, v. 86. She, unsexed, filled from crown to toe, topfull of direst cruelty.

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