top hamper

top hamper
Top-hamper Top"-ham`per, n. (Naut.) The upper rigging, spars, etc., of a ship. [Written also {top hamper}.] [1913 Webster]

All the ships of the fleet . . . were so encumbered with tophamper, so overweighted in proportion to their draught of water, that they could bear but little canvas, even with smooth seas and light and favorable winds. --Motley. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • top-hamper — 1791, originally the upper masts, sails, and rigging of a sailing ship, later extended to modern vessels, from TOP (Cf. top) (n.1) + HAMPER (Cf. hamper) (n.) in the nautical sense of things necessary but often in the way …   Etymology dictionary

  • top-hamper — [täp′ham΄pər] n. 1. the upper masts, spars, and rigging of a sailing ship, usually kept aloft 2. rigging, spars, etc. not needed immediately and an encumbrance aloft or on deck: Also top hamper * * * top ham·per also top ham·per (tŏpʹhămʹpər) n.… …   Universalium

  • Top-hamper — Top ham per, n. (Naut.) The upper rigging, spars, etc., of a ship. [Written also {top hamper}.] [1913 Webster] All the ships of the fleet . . . were so encumbered with tophamper, so overweighted in proportion to their draught of water, that they… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Top hamper — Hamper Ham per, n. [See {Hamper} to shackle.] 1. A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. W. Browne. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times. Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster] {Top hamper}… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • top-hamper — [täp′ham΄pər] n. 1. the upper masts, spars, and rigging of a sailing ship, usually kept aloft 2. rigging, spars, etc. not needed immediately and an encumbrance aloft or on deck: Also top hamper …   English World dictionary

  • top hamper — noun Unnecessary weight on a ship s upper deck • • • Main Entry: ↑top …   Useful english dictionary

  • top-hamper — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun ( s) 1. : matter or weight (as spars, rigging, superstructure, or cargo) in the upper part of a ship top hamper of guns, three hundred and forty tons of landing craft together with six sets of heavy davits K.M.Dodson 2. :… …   Useful english dictionary

  • top hamper — noun Sailing sails, rigging, or other things above decks creating top heavy weight or wind resistant surfaces …   English new terms dictionary

  • top-hamper — noun Date: 1791 1. matter or weight (as spars or rigging) in the upper part of a ship 2. unnecessary cumbersome matter …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Hamper — Ham per, n. [See {Hamper} to shackle.] 1. A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. W. Browne. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times. Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster] {Top hamper} (Naut.),… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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