tope

1 of 3

verb

ˈtōp 

toped; toping

intransitive verb

: to drink liquor to excess

tope

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a small slender cosmopolitan shark (Galeorhinus galeus) valued for its flesh, fins, and oil-rich liver

tope

3 of 3

noun (2)

: stupa

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other species, like the starry smooth-hound and tope sharks, were also found in the Thames river. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 11 Nov. 2021

But now, surprising creatures, like sharks including tope, starry smooth-hound and spurdog -- a slender fish measuring some 23 inches and covered in venomous spines -- have been found. —Amy Woodyatt, CNN, 10 Nov. 2021

Also known as the ‘tope shark,’ genetic and tagging data shows that there are up to six separate subpopulations of these sharks but do not mate with one another. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021

The tope shark, or school shark, has a condition called leucism that results in loss of pigmentation. —Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, 5 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Verb

obsolete English tope, interjection used to wish good health before drinking

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

perhaps from Punjabi ṭop hat

First Known Use

Verb

1664, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1686, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1815, in the meaning defined above