a. 1. Rising above; surpassing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, assuming superiority; proud. [ 1913 Webster ]

The great and flourishing condition of some of the topping sinners of the world. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Fine; gallant. [ Slang ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of one who tops; the act of cutting off the top. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) The act of raising one extremity of a spar higher than the other. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. pl. That which comes from hemp in the process of hatcheling. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Angling) The tail of an artificial fly. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

5. something placed on top of another thing, such as a sauce or garnish on food; as, a three-scoop banana split with three different toppings; an ice-cream cone with chocolate fudge topping. [ PJC ]

Topping lift (Naut.), a large, strong tackle employed to raise or top the end of a gaff, or of a boom. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a topping or proud manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Same as Topping, a., 3. [ Obs. ] “Topping quests.” Tusser. [ 1913 Webster ]