'Top hamper' definitions:
Definition of 'Top hamper'
From: GCIDE
- Hamper \Ham"per\, n. [See Hamper to shackle.]
- 1. A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. --W. Browne. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Naut.) Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]
- Top hamper (Naut.), unnecessary spars and rigging kept aloft. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'top hamper'
From: GCIDE
- Top-hamper \Top"-ham`per\, n. (Naut.) The upper rigging, spars, etc., of a ship. [Written also {top hamper}.] [1913 Webster]
- All the ships of the fleet . . . were so encumbered with tophamper, so overweighted in proportion to their draught of water, that they could bear but little canvas, even with smooth seas and light and favorable winds. --Motley. [1913 Webster]