"an act of putting a top on," c. 1500, verbal noun from top (v.). Meaning "an act of cutting the top off" is from 1510s. Meaning "top layer of a food" is from 1839,

"rise above or beyond the top of," 1560s, from over- + top (v.). Related: Overtopped; overtopping.

"the best (of anything)," 1709, originally slang, agent noun from top (v.).

1580s, "tumble down, fall headfirst," earlier "tumble or roll about" (1540s), from top (v.) "to tip" + frequentative suffix -le. Transitive sense also is from 1590s. Related: Toppled; toppling.

"on or at the top," 1650s, from a- (1) + top (n.1). Two words or hyphenated at first; not fully established as one word until late 19c.

road resurfacing material, 1931, American English, from black (adj.) + top (n.1).

"top of a cardboard packaging box," 1937, American English, from box (n.1) + top (n.1). They typically bore the name and address of the manufacturer and could be detached and shown as proof of purchase or to claim a radio premium or other advertising offer.

"the top of a counter," 1878, from counter (n.1) + top (n.1).

also desk-top, "the top of a desk," 1873, from desk + top (n.1). As an adjective meaning "suitable for use on a desktop," it is recorded by 1952 (desk-top supplies). As a shortening of desktop computer, by 1983. Desktop publishing recorded from 1984.

1943, "aircraft carrier," U.S. Navy, from flat (adj.) + top (n.). As a style of haircut, from 1956.