Definition

1. Noun:

   • A dome-shaped Buddhist shrine: A structure, typically containing relics, that is hemispherical in shape and used as a place of worship or meditation in Buddhism.
   • (Archaic/Zoology) A small shark, such as the school shark: This usage is now rare and primarily found in older texts.

2. Verb:

   • To drink alcohol to excess, especially habitually: To consume alcoholic beverages heavily and frequently.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The ancient tope stood silently on the hill, a monument to centuries of devotion.
  • The fishermen caught a tope in the bay. (archaic usage)

• Verb:

  • After losing his job, he began to tope heavily.
  • The man would tope every night at the local tavern.

Advanced Usage

• "Toping" (present participle/gerund): The act of drinking alcohol excessively.
  • His toping was a source of great concern for his family.

Variants and Related Words

• Toper (noun): A person who drinks alcohol habitually and to excess; a drunkard.
  • The old toper could always be found in the same corner of the pub.

Synonyms

• Verb: Carouse, tipple, imbibe heavily, drink to excess.
• Noun (shrine): Stupa, pagoda, dagoba, chorten.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(This word is not commonly used in modern English idioms.)

Noun

1. a dome-shaped shrine erected by Buddhists

Verb

1. drink excessive amounts of alcohol; be an alcoholic
   • The husband drinks and beats his wife