What does "topping" mean?

Topping: Hence, assuming superiority; proud. The great and flourishing condition of some of the topping sinners of the world. South.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Fine; gallant. [Slang] Johnson.
  2. 3.The act of one who tops; the act of cutting off the top.
  3. 4.(Naut.) The act of raising one extremity of a spar higher than the other.
  4. 5.pl. That which comes from hemp in the process of hatcheling. Topping lift (Naut.), a large, strong tackle employed to raise or top the end of a gaff, or of a boom.

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