SG Heritage Dictionary

Top-sail [Adjective] Webster's Dictionary 1828

In botany, turbinate.

Top-sail [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. A sail extended across the top-mast, above which is the top-gallant-sail.

2. The act or art of taking off the top-soil of land, before a canal is begun.

3. A stone that is placed on the top, or which forms the top.

4. A large tackle hooked to the lower end of the top-mast top-rope and to the deck.

Top-sail [Verb intransitive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. To rise aloft; to be eminent; as lofty ridges and topping mountains.

3. To excel; to rise above others.

4. But write thy best and top--

Top-sail [Verb transitive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. To cover on the top; to tip; to cap.

2. --A mount

3. Of alabaster, topp'd with golden spires.

4. Mountains topp'd with snow.

5. To rise above.

6. A gourd--climbing by the boughs twined about them, till it topped and covered the tree.

7. Topping all others in boasting.

9. To crop; to take off the top or upper part.

10. Top your rose trees a little with your knife near a leaf-bud.

11. So, in America we say, to top corn, that is maiz, by cutting off the stalk just above the ear.

12. To rise to the top of; as, he topped the hill.

13. To perform eminently. [Not in use.]