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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Topsail schooner. (Naut.) See Schooner, and Illustration in Appendix. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. Small rolls of dough, baked, cut in halves, and then browned in an oven, -- used as food for infants. [ 1913 Webster ]

'T is said that her top-and-bottoms were gilt. Hood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Topsmen 1. The chief drover of those who drive a herd of cattle. P. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The uppermost sawyer in a saw pit; a topman. Simmonds. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The upper layer of soil; surface soil. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Engin.) The act or art of taking off the top soil of land before an excavation or embankment is begun. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A stone that is placed on the top, or which forms the top. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]