topside
/ˈtɒpsaɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɑːpsaɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtäp-ˈsīd/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtɒp.saɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɑːp.saɪd/ (ame, ipa)
topside — noun
1. the section of a ship's outer body that sits higher than where the water reaches
the section of a ship's outer body that sits higher than where the water reaches when the ship is floating.
Rust had eaten through the topside of the old fishing boat near the deck rail.
domain: shipbuilding / nautical maintenance
Roya pointed out a long scratch running across the topside, just above the painted waterline.
collocation: above the waterline
The yard repainted the topside of the ferry every two years to slow corrosion from the salt spray.
Engineers inspected the topside for cracks before sending the cargo ship back to sea.
- upper hull
more technical; used in shipbuilding documents
- freeboard
narrower — only the strip between waterline and deck edge
- underbody
the submerged portion of the hull
文法句型
the topside of [a ship/vessel]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (oil rig deck): a ship's topside is the visible side panel above the water, not a working platform.
常見錯誤
2. the upper working platform of an offshore oil rig, sitting on tall legs above th
the upper working platform of an offshore oil rig, sitting on tall legs above the sea, where drilling machinery is housed and crews sleep and eat.
Iker spent six weeks on the topside of the North Sea rig, sharing a cabin with three other welders.
collocation: on the topside of [a rig]
A helicopter dropped fresh supplies onto the topside of the platform once a week.
typical context: offshore logistics
Engineers stripped old equipment off the topside before towing the rig away to be scrapped.
The crew's gym and cafeteria sat on the lower level of the topside, beneath the drilling floor.
- substructure
the supporting legs and underwater base of the rig
文法句型
the topside of [an oil rig/platform]
用法筆記
Object is almost always an offshore oil or gas installation. Distinguish from sense 1: that's a hull surface; this is a habitable platform.
常見錯誤
3. a lean cut of beef taken from the inside of a cow's back leg, often roasted whol
a lean cut of beef taken from the inside of a cow's back leg, often roasted whole or sliced thinly for sandwiches.
Emily roasted a small joint of topside in the oven for Sunday lunch with her parents.
typical context: British Sunday roast
The butcher tied string around the topside so it would hold its shape while cooking.
collocation: tie up the topside
Sivan sliced cold topside thinly and laid the pieces between two pieces of buttered bread.
Topside is leaner than rump steak, so cooks usually serve it with plenty of gravy.
- top round
American English equivalent
- round of beef
broader; covers several leg cuts including topside
文法句型
a piece / joint / slice of topside
用法筆記
Common in British recipes; American English uses 'top round' for the same cut. Often appears without an article when referring to the meat as a substance.
常見錯誤
topside — adverb
1. to or onto the upper outdoor section of a ship, especially the open deck rather
to or onto the upper outdoor section of a ship, especially the open deck rather than the cabins below.
Femi went topside to watch the sun rise over the calm grey sea.
collocation: go topside
The captain told the new sailors to stay topside until the storm passed.
grammar: stay + topside (no preposition)
Esme felt seasick in her cabin, so she came topside for some fresh air.
Most of the crew were topside hauling in the long fishing nets.
- on deck
more common in everyday English
- above deck
emphasises position relative to lower decks
- below deck
in the cabins or hold under the main deck
文法句型
go / stay / come topside
用法筆記
Used without a preposition: 'go topside', not 'go to the topside'. Almost always refers to being on a ship rather than any general 'above' position.