A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Top, Tap, n.3 Also: tope. [Late north. ME and north. e.m.E. toppes pl. (1440-1), tope (1530-1), MLG toppe, top, OF toppe.] a. A basket (of figs or raisins), or an equivalent measure of weight or quantity. b. In Aberdeen: A petty custom of six apples or onions from each barrel imported. Also attrib.a. 1496 Halyb. 15, 16.
8 topis of fegis, the stek cost 20 grottis. Item a gret top of rasainis, cost 5 s. 1560 Treas. Acc. XI 28.
For twa toppis of rasingis, viij li. x s.(b) c1575 Balfour Pract. 88.
Twentie four tappis of raisingis is a tun 1609 Edinb. Test. XLV 140b.
Fyve tapis of rasingisb. 1652–3 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 365.
Item all ungȝones and appells payis ane says barell forbay the top quhilk is 6 of everie hid of barell to with 4 to the impost and 2 to the metstersattrib. 1637–8 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 226.
Ane syise boll of unȝeounes … For the tope apillis and unȝeounes [£5 6 s. 8 d.] 1638–9 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 234.
Ane syise barrell unȝeounis with the tap unȝeounis [£12]
