tope Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a dome-shaped shrine erected by Buddhists
    stupa.
  2. verb drink excessive amounts of alcohol; be an alcoholic
    drink.
    • The husband drinks and beats his wife

WordNet


Tope noun
Etymology
Probably from Skr. stpa a tope, astupa, through Prakrin tppo.
Definitions
  1. A moundlike Buddhist sepulcher, or memorial monument. often erected over a Buddhish relic.
Tope noun
Etymology
Tamil tppu.
Definitions
  1. A grove or clumb of trees; as, a toddy tope. India Whitworth.
Tope noun
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A small shark or dogfish (Galeorhinus, ∨ Galeus, galeus), native of Europe, but found also on the coasts of California and Tasmania; -- called also toper, oil shark, miller's dog, and penny dog.
  2. (Zoöl.) The wren. Prov. Eng.
Tope intransitive verb
Etymology
F. t⊚per to cover a stake in playing at dice, to accept an offer, t⊚pe agreed !; -- perhaps imitative of the sound of striking hands on concluding a bargain. From being used in English as a drinking term, probably at first in accepting a toast.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Toped ; present participle & verbal noun Toping
Definitions
  1. To drink hard or frequently; to drink strong or spiritous liquors to excess.
    If you tope in form, and treat. Dryden.

Webster 1913