filln.1
/fɪl/, U.S. /fɪl/ 1. figurative and in extended use.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 51 Hie hadden þe fulle of wurldes richeise.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 23547 (MED) Vche mon shal haue þe folle Of al þat he aftir wilne wolle.1551 R. Crowley Pleasure & Payne sig. Dvi Of blysse or of payne they shall haue theyr fyll.1611 Bible (King James) Prov. vii. 18 Let vs take our fill of loue vntill the morning. View more context for this quotation1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Persian Wars i. 6 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Having had their fill of mourning.1775 S. Johnson Lett. to Mrs. Thrale (1788) I. cxx. 259 The hay..to-day has its fill of sunshine.1821 P. B. Shelley Adonais vii. 9 He takes his fill Of deep and liquid rest.1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. Introd. 1 He was having his fill of hunting.
a. A full supply of drink or food; enough to satisfy want or desire. Since Old English only in to drink, eat, have, take, etc. one's fill. Const. of; also in apposition to object.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [noun]
fillc893
enoughOE
no lack (of)c1305
sufficiencec1380
suffisancec1381
suffisance1390
sufficienta1450
sufficienty1450
sufficient1470
store1471
sufficientlyc1485
sufficiency1531
satiety1569
strength1593
competence1600
sufficiency1608
competency1616
quantum sufficit1693
quantum suff.1763
adequacy1790
quant. suff.1799
critical mass1947
the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > satisfying amount
fillc893
saulee1377
binder1917
load1922
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > enough to satisfy want or desire
fillc893
fulla1225
fillinga1400
sufficiencec1450
bellyful1535
stakinga1595
wameful1722
skinful1897
the mind > possession > supply > [noun] > that which is supplied > a supply > a full supply
fillc893
fillinga1400
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > [noun] > feeding > condition of being full > amount to cause fullness
fillc893
fultha1400
bellyful1580
the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > dislike greatly [verb]
hatec1325
to drink, eat, have, take, etc. one's fill1861
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)] > satisfy (needs or desires) > have enough to satisfy
to drink, eat, have, take, etc. one's fill1861
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. ii. iv. §8 Drinc nu ðine fylle.
OE Beowulf 562 Næs hie ðære fylle gefean hæfdon.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 53 To eten hire fulle.
c1220 Bestiary 485 Fret hire fille.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3536 Lang es siþen I ete my fill.
14.. Sir Beues (MS. M.) 2473 Of that water he dranke his fyl.
1508 Bp. J. Fisher Wks. (1876) 234 He coude not haue his fyll of pesen and oke cornes.
1549–62 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Whole Bk. Psalms civ. 259 Beastes of the mountaynes thereof drinke their fils.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. xxiii. 24 Thou mayest eate grapes thy fill . View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 48 Away, my Goats, away: for you have browz'd your fill.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake i. 5 The Stag at eve had drunk his fill.
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vii. xix. 165 She sucked her fill even at this breast.
b. Hence used with intransitive verbs as an adverbial phr. ‘to (his) heart's content’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > [adverb] > so as to content or satisfy > to one's satisfaction
to one's willOE
a-willc1275
at a person's willc1300
fillc1300
to payc1300
at, to greec1374
with or upon one's wish or wishes1390
agreea1425
at wisha1525
to (one's) wish (rarely wishes)1586
to one's heart's content1600
wishfully1607
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 954 Þe children..with him leykeden here fille.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 10475 Þere she myȝte sorwe hir fille.
c1400 Melayne 213 They had foughten thaire fill.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John xix. f. 113 That ye may looke your fyl upon hym.
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. D6 They chirpt amain, they pip'd they danc'd their fills.
1770 T. Gray Let. 14 Apr. in Corr. (1971) III. 1122 Talk your fill to me, & spare not.
1808 W. Scott Marmion vi. xv. 339 Let my boy-bishop fret his fill.
a1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters (1866) I. xi. 133 She burst into a passion of tears, and cried her fill.
2.
a. A quantity sufficient to fill a receptacle or empty space; a filling, charge. literal and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > enough to fill a space or receptacle
fill1555
full up1839
the world > relative properties > measurement > the scientific measurement of volume > measure(s) of capacity > amount defined by capacity > [noun] > amount that fills a receptacle
fill1555
charge1672
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > [noun] > filling > that which fills > that which serves to fill
fill1555
repletion1585
1555 in T. Wright Churchwardens' Accts. Ludlow (1869) 62 Paid for a fylle of tymber..x.d.
1852 G. Grote Hist. Greece IX. ii. lxxiv. 450 It imparted to her a second fill of strength.
1881 R. L. Stevenson Virginibus Puerisque 102 If there is a fill of tobacco among the crew..pass it round.
1884 M. Eissler Mod. High Explosives iii. iii. 265 The earth and clay for the fill were obtained from Fruitvale.
b. An embankment to fill up a gully or hollow.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > earth-moving, etc. > [noun] > embanking > an embankment
wharf10..
mounding1691
banking1776
sunka1784
embankment1786
battery1799
fill1850
earth fill1877
1850 Congress. Globe Apr. App. 531/1 It was like..making deep cuts and large fills with a view to construct a railroad.
1873 J. H. Beadle Undeveloped West xxiv. 507 There is not..a difficult ‘cut’ or ‘fill’ for over two hundred miles.
1884 Lisbon (Dakota Territory) Star 18 July The fill will be 150 feet long.
1887 M. Roberts Western Avernus 71 They made a ‘fill’ or embankment eighty feet high.
c. In Poker: the act of filling one's hand. Cf. fill v. 1c.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > poker > [noun] > actions or tactics
run-off1843
bluff1846
fill1866
call1968
slow-playing1979
slow roll1982
slow-rolling1982
1866 Wilkes' Spirit of Times (N.Y.) 10 Mar. 28/3 In a game of draw-poker on the draw or fill, a party..discovers that he has only four cards.
1887 ‘S. Cumberland’ Queen's Highway 276 If I drew for a ‘fill’ I ‘filled’, it is true, only to find that some one at the table had drawn a ‘full hand’ of a higher denomination.
d. Auxiliary or secondary material inserted to ensure continuity in music, literature, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > auxiliary material
fill1934
fill-in1952
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > parts of a written composition > [noun] > auxiliary material
fill1962
1934 S. R. Nelson All about Jazz ii. 46 The pianist used to fill up, with ‘breaks’... In fact, the excellence of the player was determined by the nature of these ‘fills’.
1962 C. Watson Hopjoy was Here xvi. 176 He knew..what would tickle a sub-editor's fancy and help meet the insatiable demand for short ‘fills’.
e. Archaeology. The body of material found in a pit, ditch, etc., in excavation, of a later period than the digging of the feature itself.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > history or knowledge about the past > [noun] > archaeology > that which is found
disinterment1825
grave-find1866
archaeology1876
earth fill1929
fill1952
1952 Antiquity 26 118 The levels beneath it and associated with it are pre-pottery, while two deep later fills against its face are still pre-pottery.
1955 Times 24 Aug. 9/6 In the fills behind each of the walls were found rich deposits of pottery and votive offerings.
3. The action of filling (esp. a cup or glass). literal and figurative. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > [noun] > filling
fillingc1440
replenishinga1500
repletion1646
filla1732
a1732 T. Boston in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1874) IV. Ps. lxxxi A fill proposed and offered to empty sinners.
a1810 R. Tannahill Poems (1846) 68 I'll treat you wi' a Highland gill, Though it should be my hindmaist fill.
4. †Of a river: The point at which its stream is filled, the head-waters; in quot. opposed to fall. Hence transferred in proverbial use, neither fill nor fall: neither head nor tail, not a trace (dialect).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > system > [noun] > head or source
headeOE
wellspringOE
springOE
uptaking1241
head wella1325
wellheadc1330
sourcec1386
headspringa1398
headstreama1398
risinga1398
surge1523
springhead?a1560
head fountain1563
water head1567
fountainhead1585
headwater1612
fill1622
water source1651
urn1726
vomica1838
sponge-swamp1901
1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xix. 3 A Streame, that from the fill to fall, Wants nothing that a Flood should be adorn'd withall.
1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. (at cited word) ‘My old dog went off last Monday, and I can't hear neither fill-nor-fall of him.’
Phrasal verbs
With adverbs forming combinations expressing the action of the corresponding verbal combinations (fill v. Phrasal verbs). fill-in n.
1. Something put in as a substitute or to fill a vacancy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > exchange > substitution > [noun] > a substitute
changec1460
supplier1491
quid pro quo?1535
supply1567
vicegerent1583
substitute1589
vice1597
succedane1601
surrogate1644
succedaneum1651
succedaneum1662
vicar1676
superseder?1774
supersessor1810
locum tenens1814
supplial1837
remplaçant1850
fill-in1918
Stepney1928
stand-in1933
substituter1956
1918 in C. W. Cunnington Eng. Women's Clothing (1952) iv. 141 Fill-in or vest or waistcoat is an absolute necessity.
1928 Sunday Express 15 Apr. 11/5 I can hardly say my interest was aroused in the ‘new art’, except as a fill-in for the stage.
1936 N. Coward To-night at 8.30 I. 101 This date's only a fill-in for us.
1944 R. Lehmann Ballad & Source 141 ‘Well no, not really,’ I murmured, realising that she had forgotten she was talking to me, but feeling that some non-committal fill-in was required.
1958 Listener 6 Nov. 722/2 At twelve there was a fill-in term at a rather arty school.
1968 J. Updike Couples iv. 299 A lot of melancholy fill-in about Dallas the Birchers' paradise.
2. A briefing.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > action of informing > [noun] > a briefing
brief1856
briefing1940
fill-in1946
dog-and-pony show1966
dog-and-pony1989
1946 Sat. Rev. Lit. (U.S.) 20 July 24/3 George Holmes..had given the President a fill-in on Stimson's literary background.
1953 F. Pohl & C. M. Kornbluth Space Merchants (1955) ii. 18 I gave him a fill-in on what Schocken Associates was up to.
3. = sense 2d. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > auxiliary material
fill1934
fill-in1952
1952 B. Ulanov Hist. Jazz in Amer. iv. 29 You may get two-bar phrases with two-bar fill-ins.
1955 L. Feather Encycl. Jazz ii. 55 The French horns join with the xylophone to provide a ‘fill-in’ phrase before the three themes resume in Bar 5.
1965 Crescendo Oct. 10/1 Hasaan's piano runs at times are extremely dazzling... Roach's explosive fill-ins seem to spark him along to experiment further.
4. Photography. (See quot. 1955.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > camera > parts and accessories of camera > [noun] > lights
photoflood1933
fill-in1955
ring light1956
1955 M. Reifer Dict. New Words 81/2 Fill-in, a supplementary light to illuminate shadows.
1957 T. L. J. Bentley Man. Miniature Camera (ed. 5) v. 78 A smaller bulb having one half this guide number will be about right for the fill-in flash.
1958 Amateur Photographer 31 Dec. 897/2 The strength of the main light in relation to the strength of the fill-in light is also worthy of much consideration.
fill-out n. = sense 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > abundance of food
welfare?c1430
paunchful1598
fill-out1838
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxv. 87 Produce the sustainance, and let's have a quiet fill-out for the first time these three days!
Draft additions 1993
Also, material used for filling. Cf. fibrefill n. at fibre n. Additions, infill n., loose-fill n. at loose adj., n.2, and adv. Compounds 2, and rock-fill n. at rock n.1 Compounds 2a(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > [noun] > filling > filling of vacant space > that which serves to
filler1591
filling1597
filler-up1710
packing1779
upfilling1822
fill-up1853
infilling1871
filler-in1877
space-filler1886
infill1939
microballoon1954
fill1957
1957 Encycl. Brit. V. 895/2 The cost of construction and maintenance of groynes, jetties and sea walls led to an increasing use of artificial fills.
1973 J. S. Foster Struct. & Fabric I. iv. 81/1 The fill is poorly compacted.
1984 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Spring–Summer 1274 Polyester fill Pillow has 18 ounces of fill in standard size.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
filln.2
/fɪl/, U.S. /fɪl/ Now dialect (see English Dial. Dict.).
In plural. The thills or shafts of a cart; (in singular) the pair of shafts, ‘the space between the shafts’ (Johnson .
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > parts of cart or carriage > [noun] > shaft(s) or pole
thillc1325
limber1480
sway1535
neap1553
draught-tree1580
wain-beam1589
beam1600
fills1609
spire1609
foreteam?1611
verge1611
shaft1613
rangy1657
pole1683
thrill1688
trill1688
rod1695
range1702
neb1710
sharp1733
tram1766
carriage pole1767
sill1787
tongue1792
nib1808
dissel-boom1822
tongue-tree1829
reach1869
wain-stang1876
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iii. ii. 44 And you draw backward weele put you ith filles [1623 fils].
a1626 W. Rowley New Wonder (1632) iii I will Give you the fore Horse place, and I wilbe in the Fill's.
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 164 This Mule being put in the Fill of a Cart..ran away.
1755 in S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang.
1845 D. Webster Private Corr. (1856) II. 202 He could not follow them any more than a dray-horse can jump out of the fills.
1849 D. Nason Jrnl. 34 They..set their feet upon the fills, and jog off.
1904 F. Crissey Tattlings Retired Politician 247 Father's old clay-bank mare..[had never] laid down in his stall, in the fills, or in double harness.
Compounds
fill-horse n. = shaft-horse n. at shaft n.2 Compounds 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > draught-horse > team of > horse(s) attached to or between shafts
thill-horsec1325
limoneer1524
thiller1552
body horse1558
fill-horse1600
limber1632
filler1695
pole horse1725
shaft-horse1769
wheel-pair1794
wheeler1813
shafter1840
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ii. 90 Thou hast got more haire on thy chinne, then Dobbin my philhorse hase on his taile. View more context for this quotation
1648 R. Herrick Hesperides sig. Iv Some crosse the Fill-horse.
1695 W. Kennett Parochial Antiq. Gloss. at Pullanus The horse which goes in the rods is commo[n]ly called the fillar, and the fill-horse.
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830)
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
fillv.
/fɪl/, U.S. /fɪl/ I. To make full.† 2. To impregnate. Cf. full adj. Obsolete.
1. To supply with as much as can be held or contained; to put or pour something into (a receptacle) till no more can be received. Also, to fill full. Const. †mid, †of (= Old English genitive), with.
a. in material sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > completely
fillc1000
containc1374
replenish?a1425
comprise1489
to take up1538
pack1567
c1000 Ags. Ps. lxxx[i]. 10 Ontyn þinne muð and ic hine teala fylle!
c1160 Hatton Gosp. Luke xv. 16 Ða ȝe-wilnede he his wambe fellen of þam bean-coddan þe þa swin æten.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10232 Me feolden [c1300 Otho fulde] heom [scipene] mid folke.
c1320 Cast. Love 731 A welle þat..fulleþ þe diches a-boute þe wal.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1225 A fetles wið water fild.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 204 That o kist Of fine golde..anone he filde full.
c1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Katherine v. 1962 Of laumpes hangynge..ffilt with þat oyle.
1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie ii. vii. sig. F4 That they their panch may fill with Irus blood.
1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Trivmph of Faith (1845) 11 Jesus Christ..was full of grace a vessel filled to the lip.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 104 Who fill'd the Pail with Beestings of the Cow. View more context for this quotation
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 249 At the tale of pity my eyes are filled with tears.
1886 D. C. Murray Cynic Fortune vi The broken..gentleman..filling his pockets with fairy bank-notes.
b. in immaterial sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > fill > specifically in immaterial sense
fillOE
fulfila1300
replete1482
replenishc1529
stuff1531
install1577
charge1581
saturate1737
brim1844
supercharge1846
implete1862
earwig1880
infill1880
OE Andreas (1932) 523 He..wuldras fylde beorhtne boldwelan, swa gebledsod wearð engla eðel þurh his anes miht.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 117 Þe holi gost com uppen þe apostles and filde ful þat hus þere hie inne seten.
13.. Poems fr. Vernon MS. 71 Ffullyng hem of þi fatnesse Of inward saunctite.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 852 God..fild þis werld al wit his grace.
c1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 27 Of grace my þouȝt þou fille.
1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy v, in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 158 Theyr howsys wyth stench they fyll.
1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc (1571) i. i. A iv/1 His enuious hart..Filled with disdaine.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 495 Ely's Sons, who fill'd With lust and violence the house of God. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 111 Linnets fill the Woods with tuneful sound. View more context for this quotation
1710 J. Addison Tatler No. 220. ⁋1 Having received many Letters filled with Compliments.
1744 W. Warburton Remarks Occas. Refl. 25 The public therefore cannot be as impatient for their Conviction as this Decipherer is for filling his Subscription.
1812 R. Southey Life (1850) III. 338 Surely such a subscription might soon be filled.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 29 Three more years filled with injuries.
c. Phrases: †to fill the hands of (a Hebraism): to invest with an office. to fill one's pipe: to attain to easy circumstances or wealth (slang).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > appointment to office > appoint a person to an office [verb (transitive)]
setc1000
stevenOE
assign1297
inseta1300
stable1300
ordaina1325
instituec1384
to put ina1387
limitc1405
point?1405
stablish1439
institutec1475
invest1489
assumec1503
to fill the hands of1535
establish1548
settle1548
appoint1557
place1563
assumptc1571
dispose1578
seat1595
state1604
instate1613
to bring ina1616
officea1616
constitute1616
impose1617
ascribe1624
install1647
to set up1685
prick1788
the mind > possession > wealth > be rich [verb (intransitive)] > become rich
gather?c1225
richa1375
purchasec1387
increasea1425
enrich1525
to feather one's nest1583
to make a, one's fortune1596
to make one's fortunea1616
fatten1638
accumulate1747
to fill one's pipe1821
to shake the pagoda-tree1825
pyramid1926
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Judges xvii. 5 Micha..fylled ye handes of one of his sonnes.
1821 P. Egan Tom & Jerry vi. 84 Such persons..have lived just long enough, according to a vulgar phrase, to fill their pipe, and leave others to enjoy it.
d. to fill a ship's bottom (see quot. 1867). to fill the ice (see quot. 1892).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > shipbuilding and repairing > [verb (intransitive)] > sheath bottom with iron
to fill a ship's bottom1867
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > curling > curl [verb (intransitive)] > actions
roar1787
wick1811
outwick1830
port1831
rebut1831
to fill the ice1867
guard1878
slide1936
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Filling a ship's bottom, implies covering the bottom of a ship with broad-headed nails, so as to give her a sheathing of iron.
1892 J. Kerr Gloss. Curling Terms, Curling 380 Fill the ice, place stones on the way to the tee.
e. Scottish. In hand-loom weaving, absol. = to fill the ‘pirns’ or bobbins with yarn, thus making them ready to be placed in the shuttle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [verb (transitive)] > weave > processes involved in
reed1812
skewera1834
shed1839
float1878
fill1889
1889 J. M. Barrie Window in Thrums xii. 108 Nanny went to the loom in his place, filling as well as weaving.
f. In Poker: to complete (a ‘full house’, flush, straight, etc.) by drawing the necessary cards; also, to improve (one's hand) by drawing complementary cards; intransitive or absol., to make a flush, etc.; also, (of the flush, etc.) to become complete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > poker > [verb (intransitive)] > actions or tactics
brag1734
fill1865
to go blind1872
to go it blind1872
stay1882
re-raise1903
sandbag1940
slow-play1971
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > poker > [verb (transitive)] > actions or tactics
see1804
to make good1821
call1840
bluff1846
straddle1864
fill1865
to cash in1884
stack1896
slow-play1967
slow-roll1996
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > poker > [verb (transitive)] > complete (a flush, etc.)
fill1865
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > poker > [verb (intransitive)] > become complete (of flush)
fill1895
1865 ‘M. Twain’ Sketches New & Old (1875) 74 His last acts was to go his pile on ‘kings-and’ (calklatin' to fill, but which he didn't fill,) when there was a ‘flush’ out agin him.
1882 Poker 31 Scott drew to ‘fill a straight and a flush both’.
1885 H. Jones in Encycl. Brit. XIX. 283/1 The dealer then asks each in rotation who have chipped whether they will fill their hands (i.e. whether they will exchange any cards for an equivalent number from the top of the pack) or play the hand dealt.
1887 ‘S. Cumberland’ Queen's Highway 276 If I drew for a ‘fill’ I ‘filled’, it is true, only to find that some one at the table had drawn a ‘full hand’ of a higher denomination.
1889 R. Guerndale Poker Bk. 25 To fill your hand, to improve it by the draw.
1895 ‘Templar’ Poker Man. 43 Sometimes the ante-man or the straddler will come in, if there has been no raise, on three to a straight or flush, drawing two cards. Such hands rarely fill.
1901 D. Curtis Sci. Draw Poker 56 If the three cards held be the Queen, Jack and nine it is evident that either the ten and eight, or the King and ten, would fill.
1901 D. Curtis Sci. Draw Poker 78 Theoretically, the Flush should be filled oftener than the Straight.
1901 D. Curtis Sci. Draw Poker 79 If B then fills he is getting 11 to 1.
1913 ‘A. B. Lougher’ Poker 13 The next process is that of drawing to fill the hands.
1928 Amer. Mercury Oct. 136/2 I'd made maybe a straight flush, [h]a[ve] filled somehow anyway, and cleaned him.
1957 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 129/1 The odds are..39 to 8 against ‘filling a bob-tail straight’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > fecundation or impregnation > [verb (transitive)]
geta1375
to beget with childa1393
impregn?c1550
season1555
enwomb1590
knock1598
with-child1605
fill1607
fertilitate1638
ingravidate1642
impregnate1646
improlificate1646
prolificate1650
pregnant1660
pregnate1686
fecundate1721
fecundify1736
to knock up1813
to put in the family way1898
inseminate1923
to get or put (someone) in the (pudding) club1936
stork1936
to put in the way1960
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 62 They desire the Cow at eight monthes olde, but they are not able to fill her til they be two years old.
1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 31 Zephir with Aurora playing..Fill'd her with thee a daughter fair.
3. † b. Of a list, etc.: To be filled up. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. To become full, either in a material or immaterial sense. Of the bosom: = to fill out at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up space [verb (intransitive)] > be or become full
fulleOE
replenish1579
filla1616
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (intransitive)] > expand chest
fill1803
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iv. iii. 245 The one is filling still, neuer compleat. View more context for this quotation
1685 C. Cotton tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. I. 211 A soul stretches and dilates itself proportionably as it fills.
1713 Guardian 26 Sept. 1/2 In a few Weeks, when the Town fills.
1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins I. ix. 85 Upon launching my Boat, I perceived she was very leaky; so I let her fill.
1803 J. Davis Trav. U.S.A. 57 A bosom just beginning to fill.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xix. 32 Twice a day the Severn fills . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > be complete [verb (intransitive)] > be filled up or completed
fill1710
1710 London Gaz. No. 4661/3 The Lottery for two Millions of Florins fills with great Success.
c. intransitive. Of the eyes: to fill with tears.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > weeping > weep [verb (intransitive)] > shed tears (of the eyes)
tearc1000
weep1567
wail1594
to well up1848
well1859
fill1871
to tear up1941
1871 Two Little Bruces ix ‘I'm..tired..,’ said Clemmie, with filling eyes.
1905 Westm. Gaz. 14 Jan. 2/3 The blue-grey eyes filled as the girl got quietly into bed.
d. Of a horse's legs: to become oedematous.
ΚΠ
1907 J. W. Axe Horse VI. 364 Œdema..frequently occurs in the legs of horses, when they are said to ‘fill’.
1907 J. W. Axe Horse VIII. 380 Some, which are commonly spoken of as ‘filled’ legs, are generally the outcome of slight temporary disturbance of the general system.
4. Nautical.
a. transitive. Of the wind: To cause (the sails) to swell; to distend.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > trim sails > cause sails to fill
filla1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) Epil. 12 Gentle breath of yours, my Sailes Must fill . View more context for this quotation
1744 Philos. Trans. 1740–41 (Royal Soc.) 41 536 The Sailor concerns himself no farther with the Wind, than as it fills his Sails.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 161 South winds filling the sails.
b. intransitive. Of a sail: To become full of wind.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > swell out in wind (of sails)
draw1627
fill1835
1835 F. Marryat Pirate i The jib filled as the frigate rounded to.
c. trans. to fill the sails: ‘to brace the yards so that the wind strikes the after side of the sails, and advances the ship in her course’ (Smyth).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > brace yards so sails fill
to fill the sails1794
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship II. 312 Fill the sails.
1847 J. C. Ross Voy. Antarctic Reg. II. 168 By backing and filling the sails we endeavoured to avoid collision.
1874 F. G. D. Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. x. 309 Fill the head sails.
d. absol.; also to fill away.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > brace yards so sails fill > fill sails and manoeuvre ship
to fill away1681
square1909
1681 London Gaz. No. 1628/1 In the mean time, the Admiral who had been beaten off, filled and laid them Aboard the second time.
1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster III. iv. 49 The commodore made the signal to fill.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxv. 133 Each vessel filled away, and kept on her course.
1860 G. Balmanno in Mercantile Marine Mag. 7 369 Thinking there must be room ahead I filled again.
5. To stock or store abundantly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything > stock (a place, etc.) with something
fillOE
store1264
pitchc1300
stuffc1386
fretc1400
replete?a1425
enstorea1450
engrange1480
plenish1488
freightc1503
people1581
stocka1640
stack1652
bestore1661
to lay in1662
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > fill
afilleOE
fillOE
fullOE
chargea1250
replenish?a1425
replete?a1425
steek?1440
upfillc1440
plenish1488
prime1513
accloy1581
supplya1616
adimplete1657
OE Genesis 196 Tudre fyllað eorðan ælgrene.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Gen. i. 22 Wexe ȝe, and be ȝe multiplied, and fille ȝe the watris of the see.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 397 Be fruitful, multiply, and in the Seas And Lakes and running Streams the waters fill . View more context for this quotation
1782 W. Cowper Progress of Error in Poems 480 The wriggling fry soon fill the creeks around.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 203 This parliament was filled with Dermots and Geohegans [etc.].
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits v. 99 The rivers..are artificially filled with the eggs of salmon.
6. To charge or make up with some foreign material; hence, to adulterate.
ΚΠ
1887 [implied in: Pall Mall Gaz. 25 June 12/1 A word in defence of the much abused ‘filled’ cottons. (at filled adj. 1b)].
1888 [implied in: Nature 26 July 294/1 The methods of production of ‘filled’ (i.e. adulterated and watered) soaps. (at filled adj. 1b)].
1890 Daily News 25 Apr. 5/3 A mysterious product analogous to margarine, known to the trade as ‘filled cheese’.
II. To occupy completely.
7.
a. To occupy the whole capacity or extent of; also, to spread over or throughout, pervade.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > spreading or diffusion > [verb (transitive)] > pervade
through-seeka1200
filla1300
fulfila1382
to run through ——1638
penetrate1652
inequitate1653
pervade1659
permeate1660
compenetrate1686
perradiate1848
impenetrate1859
a1300 Leg. Rood (1871) 28 Þe suotnesse þat þer-of com velde al þat lond.
a1400–50 Alexander 3065 His folke fellis all þe flode a forelange o brede.
1605 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes I. §34 The heart of man is..so infinite in desire, that the round Globe of the world cannot fill the three corners of it.
1646 P. Bulkley Gospel-covenant i. 130 Water which fills the sea.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. iv. 48 The Idea [which] belongs to Body, whereby we conceive it to fill Space.
1768 S. Johnson Let. 28 May (1992) I. 312 The maps..fill two Atlantick folios.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 397 The fame of her great writers filled Europe.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. ii. 17 Glaciers which once filled the valley.
1884 tr. H. Lotze Logic 444 The discussion which fills the XIIth book of Aristotle's Metaphysics.
1892 Daily News 17 Oct. 2/7 Wherever there is sufficient business between the two [towns] to ‘fill’ a wire.
b. In immaterial sense: To be all that is contained in.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > spreading or diffusion > [verb (transitive)] > pervade > be all that is contained in
fill1890
1890 J. Martineau Seat Authority Relig. Pref. 6 The mere resort to testimony for information beyond our province does not fill the meaning of ‘authority’.
c. slang. to fill the bill: (a) Theatrical: see quot. 1891. (b) U.S. ‘To do all that is desired, expected, or required; to suit the requirements of the case’ ( Cent. Dict.). See also bill n.3 8d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > be expedient or advisable [verb (intransitive)] > serve the purpose
servec1392
doa1450
to serve (also answer) one's purposea1500
pass1565
to fit one's turn1603
to come in handy1839
to come in useful1854
to fill the bill1882
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suit or be suitable for [verb (transitive)] > be adequate for the case or conditions
fulfila1425
serve1445
satisfy1526
answer1581
fit1603
respond1677
meet1785
implement1857
to fill the bill1882
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > performer > appear as performer [verb (intransitive)] > be conspicuous success
to fill the bill1882
to steal (the) picture, scene, show1928
1882 Chicago Tribune ‘Affable Imbecile’ would about fill the bill for you.
1891 J. S. Farmer Slang II. 396/2 Fill the bill, to excel in conspicuousness: as a star actor whose name is ‘billed’ to the exclusion of the rest of the company.
8. To hold or occupy (a position); to discharge the duties of (an office, place, post, etc.). In to fill a chair, to fill a place, to fill a seat, etc. with mixture of sense 7. So †to fill the time: to do what is wanted at the time.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > position or job > [verb (transitive)]
holdc1000
occupyc1375
fillc1475
society > authority > office > [verb (transitive)] > hold an office
occupyc1375
fillc1475
holdc1475
furnish1576
the world > action or operation > doing > act or do [verb (intransitive)] > do what is wanted at the time
to fill the timea1616
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 1 Þe pope..filliþ not in dede, ne in word, þe office of Petir in ȝerþ.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. ii. 69 I fill a place I know't. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iii. vii. 33 In fine, deliuers me to fill the time, Her selfe most chastly absent. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 131 Thus make they Kings to fill the Regal Seat. View more context for this quotation
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 2. ⁋1 He fills the Chair at a Quarter-Session.
1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. II. 105 His assiduity in filling the duties of each [employment].
1821 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto IV xv. 78 They were not made in the real world to fill A busy character in the dull scene.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 608 Perth..filling the great place of Chancellor.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xviii. 216 Stamford, like Lincoln..fills a prominent place in the wars of Edward.
1876 W. E. Gladstone Homeric Synchronism 49 Who fills the Chair of Chemistry at Athens.
1885 Law Times 79 170/2 The post which is now filled by Mr. Ilbert.
9.
a. To occupy or furnish the means of occupying (what is vacant). †to fill the room of: to take the place of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > exchange > substitution > supplanting or replacement > take the place of or replace [verb (intransitive)]
to stand for ——lOE
to give steadc1340
to stand in a person's stead?a1515
to do (obs.), fill, serve, supply the stead of1558
to fill the room of1562
to usurp the place of1574
suppullulate1601
to stead upa1616
to take the place ofa1616
succenturiate1630
act1651
succeed1692
to do duty1825
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)]
overdoOE
adreeOE
wreaka1300
to draw forthc1300
dispend1340
pass1340
drivea1375
wastec1381
occupyc1384
overpassa1387
to pass over ——a1393
usec1400
spend1423
contrive?a1475
overdrive1487
consumea1500
to pass forth1509
to drive off1517
lead1523
to ride out1529
to wear out, forth1530
to pass away?1550
to put offc1550
shiftc1562
to tire out1563
wear1567
to drive out1570
entertainc1570
expire1589
tire1589
outwear1590
to see out1590
outrun1592
outgo1595
overshoot1597
to pass out1603
fleeta1616
elapse1654
term1654
trickle1657
to put over1679
absorb1686
spin1696
exercise1711
kill1728
to get through ——1748
to get over ——1751
tickc1870
fill1875
1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 67 The asshes may fill the rome of spodium.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 235 Amusements which fill a vacant hour.
b. To put a person or thing into (a vacant place).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > [verb (transitive)] > put a person into (an office)
filla1616
society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > fill a vacant position
filla1616
replenish1632
to fill up1891
person1972
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > fill > fill a vacant space or place > with a person or thing
filla1616
populatea1886
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iii. i. 16 No Harry..'tis no Land of thine, Thy place is fill'd . View more context for this quotation
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) II. App. 588 The people at large claimed a voice in filling the episcopal chair.
III. To satisfy; to fulfil, complete.† 11. To make satisfaction for, atone for (a fault).
10. † b. intransitive. To become satisfied or satiated. Obsolete.
a. To produce a sense of fullness in; to satiate, satisfy, glut; in both material and immaterial sense. Chiefly of a personal agent; occasionally of a thing. Const. with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be content or satisfied with [verb (transitive)] > content or satisfy > a desire or appetite
stanchc1315
queema1325
slakec1325
fill1340
servea1393
feedc1400
exploita1425
assuagec1430
astaunchc1430
slocken?1507
eslakec1530
sate1534
saturate1538
appease1549
glut1549
answer1594
exsatiate1599
embaitc1620
palliate1631
recreate1643
still1657
jackal1803
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > excessive consumption of food or drink > eat or drink to excess [verb (transitive)] > feed (oneself) to excess
over-quatc1275
glutc1315
fill1340
stuffa1400
aglutc1400
agroten1440
grotenc1440
ingrotenc1440
sorporrc1440
replenisha1450
pegc1450
quatc1450
overgorgea1475
gorge1486
burst1530
cloy1530
saturate1538
enfarce1543
mast?1550
engluta1568
gull1582
ingurgitate1583
stall1583
forage1593
paunch1597
upbray1598
upbraid1599
surfeitc1600
surcharge1603
gormandize1604
overfeed1609
farcinate1634
repletiate1638
stodge1854
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 77 Hi onderstondeþ þet al þe worlde ne is naȝt a guod snode: uor mannes herte to uelle.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17227 Mi flexsli lust to fill.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6842 Þe pour men hunger for to fill.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 160/1 Fyll wythe mete, sacio.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 26 Coude not be contente ne fylled to beholde hyr fayre loue.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Suffolk xvii How fast she fylde me both with prayes and prayse.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 462 A Lyon..when he is satisfied and filled, hee layeth aside that sauage quality.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. i. 264 To see meate fill Knaues, and Wine heat fooles. View more context for this quotation
1661 S. Pepys Diary 23 July (1970) II. 139 I sat before Mrs. Palmer..and filled my eyes with her.
1715 G. Cheyne Philos. Princ. Relig.: Pt. II ii. ii. 70 Nothing..but the absolute and increated Infinite, can adequatly fill, and super-abundantly satisfy it [the desire].
1820 J. Keats Isabella in Lamia & Other Poems 50 Her full shape would all his seeing fill.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (intransitive)] > become satisfied
fillc1330
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > satisfying hunger or thirst > become satisfied (with food or drink) [verb (intransitive)]
to eat one's fillc1175
fillc1330
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2392 Sone afterward þey fillede of Leyre.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. Diiijv Gluttonlike she feeds, yet neuer filleth . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > atone for [verb (transitive)]
beetc897
i-bye10..
abyelOE
answer?a1300
buya1300
amendc1300
mendc1330
forbuy1340
redressa1387
answera1400
byea1400
filla1400
peasea1400
ransoma1400
to pay for——c1400
recompense?a1439
abidea1450
satisfyc1460
redeema1464
repaira1513
syth1513
reconcile1535
acquit1567
dispense1590
assoil1596
propitiate1610
expiatea1626
atone1661
retrievea1679
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 24700 Suilk fautis mai men fill.
12. † a. To carry out in or to its fullness, execute, perform (a command, duty, promise, etc.); to fulfil (a prophecy, etc.). Also to fill forth. Obsolete.† b. To make perfect, accomplish, complete, finish (a work, period of time, ‘one's days’). Also with infinitive as object. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (transitive)] > carry into effect (a command, promise, plan, etc.)
fillOE
fulfilc1300
performc1300
executec1405
to draw in(to) consequencec1420
forthfillc1420
persolve1548
to go through ——a1586
effecta1593
to fill up1600
complete1680
to carry (something) into effect (also execution, practice, etc.)1715
implement1806
to put into effect1936
the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (transitive)] > achieve or effect > a wish, prophecy, etc.
fillOE
fulfilc1300
forthfillc1420
OE Azarias 42 Fyl nu þa frumspræce, þeah þe user fea lifgen, wlitega þine wordcwidas ond ðin wuldor us.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 917 He ne namm nan gom To fillenn all hiss wikenn.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 283 Luue fulleð þe laȝe.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1463 Ðat he sulde fillen ðat quede Ðat he abraham quilum dede.
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 324 Goddis wille is fillid asideli.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14531 He com..þe prophecies to fill.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1405 To fylle þe same forwardeȝ þat þay by-fore maden.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 3353 Thai..All redy war to fillyng his command.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 602 But this forward to fille, first ye me sweire.
1578 in J. G. Dalyell Scotish Poems 16th Cent. (1801) II. 131 To fulfill his Fathers will, Till fill furth that he said.
1836 Congress. Globe Jan. App. 50/2 From age to age, they [sc. the Negroes] have filled this saying [‘Cursed be Canaan’].
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > complete (an action or piece of work) [verb (transitive)]
to make an endc893
afilleOE
endc975
fullOE
full-doOE
full-workOE
fullendOE
fullfremeOE
full-forthlOE
fillc1175
fulfilc1300
complec1315
asum1340
full-make1340
performa1382
finisha1400
accomplishc1405
cheve1426
upwindc1440
perfurnish?c1450
sumc1450
perimplish1468
explete?a1475
fullcome1477
consume1483
consomme1489
perimplenish1499
perfect1512
perfinish1523
complete1530
consummate1530
do1549
to run out1553
perfectionate1570
win1573
outwork1590
to bring about1598
exedifya1617
to do up1654
ratifyc1720
ultimate1849
terminate1857
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 39 Þet seofeðe is cherite, heo fulleð alle þa oðre þing and endeð.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 354 Deth him tok þan he best wolde Liuen, but hyse dayes were fulde.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 34 Auht ȝere was he kyng, his daies alle filled.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xxxvi. 8 Alle the wise men in herte maden to fille the werk of the tabernacle.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Jer. li. 63 Whanne thou hast fillid to rede this book.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1109 To fillyn our fare & our fos harme.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. lxv. 20 An olde man, that hath not filled his dayes. View more context for this quotation
c. Commerce. To execute (a trade order). Also (U.S.), to make up (a prescription).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (transitive)] > distribute by trade, sale, or order
distrade1623
to sell out1648
fill1860
place1887
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacture or production > manufacture or produce [verb (transitive)] > execute order
fill1860
the world > health and disease > healing > pharmacy > practise pharmaceutically [verb (transitive)] > dispense
dispense1541
fill1891
1860 Richmond (Va.) Enquirer 2 Nov. 1/7 The Executive of the State is making the most strenuous efforts to fill the orders for arms that come to him from all parts of the State.
1866 J. R. Lowell Lett. (1894) I. 369 I sat down and did what I could to answer (‘fill’, I think, is the proper word) your order.
1891 Pall Mall Gaz. 15 Oct. 7/2 In order to fill this one order by a single firm.
1891 H. Tuckley Under the Queen 25 The individual who fills their prescriptions.
1926 D. L. Colvin Prohibition in U.S. 171 During the campaign he filled one hundred and twenty-five speaking engagements.
a1940 F. S. Fitzgerald Last Tycoon (1941) v. 104 If you were in a drug store..having a prescription filled.
1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 17 Feb. 12 (advt.) Phone orders filled for city and suburban delivery only.
IV. With the introduced contents as object.† 13. To put (wine, etc.) into a vessel with the view of filling it; hence, To pour out. Also, to fill about, to fill out (see to fill out 3 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete exc. archaic. (Cf. German füllen.)absolute.c1510 Robin Hood 1 ‘Fyll of the best wyne’ sayd Robyn.1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido i. i I fill'd into your cups.1611 Bible (King James) Rev. xviii. 6 In the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. View more context for this quotation1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe II. vii. 116 He hath no pleasure save to fill, to swill, and to call for more.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or fact of pouring or being poured > pour [verb (transitive)] > out
fillc1450
forthyete1513
pour1539
to fill out1602
c1450 Erle Tolous 314 Fylle the wyne, wyghtly he badd.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 549/2 I fyll drinke..Je verse a boyre.
1615 G. Markham Eng. House-wife (1668) ii. i. 12 Having filled it [Milk] into a clean vessel.
1637 T. Morton New Eng. Canaan iii. xiv. 134 Fill sweet Nectar, freely about.
1705 tr. W. Bosman New Descr. Coast of Guinea xiii. 230 Brandy in the Morning and Palm-Wine in the Afternoon are very briskly filled about.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 141. ⁋4 I..desire the young lady may fill tea one week longer.
1840 A. W. Fonblanque Life & Labours (1874) 318 Let there be well-paid publicans to fill gills of whiskey.]
14.
a. To fill a receptacle with (any material); to put or take a load of (corn, water, etc.) on board a ship. to fill powder (see quot. 1867).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > transport by water [verb (transitive)] > load or unload cargo > load a ship or a cargo
ladeOE
fill1297
fraughtc1400
freightc1503
load?1504
ballasta1616
stow1692
cargo1889
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > discharge firearms [verb (intransitive)] > load, etc.
reload1761
reprime1775
to fill powder1797
cap1856
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 13 He lette sende hys messageres in to al Grece..And lette fulle corn, and oyl, & wyn, by iche syde.
1496 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1885) III. 291 To þe fillers þat filled grauell at Trent side.
1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 114 Here we filled water, and after set saile.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xv. 404 Having fill'd our Water, cut our Wood, and got our Ship in a sailing posture.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 37 Having the Long Boat and the Shallop, with about six and thirty Men with them, away they went to fill Water.
1797 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) II. 224 Eighteen rounds of powder filled.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Filling powder, taking gunpowder from the casks to fill cartridges.
b. Dentistry. = stop v. 4d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > dentistry > practise dentistry [verb (transitive)] > fill
stop1592
stuff1824
fill1848
remineralize1860
1848 Lit. Amer. 29 July 64/2 Teeth filled with gold (if preferred), extracted and cleaned.
1859 J. Tomes Syst. Dental Surg. 334 In the treatment of caries, filling must ever be regarded as the great remedy.
1859 J. Tomes Syst. Dental Surg. 334 There is perhaps no other operation..which is attended with the same unqualified success as that of filling teeth.
1945 L. Baker Party Line 92 Dick not only filled and pulled teeth, but he went modern and practiced orthodontia.
1963 C. R. Cowell et al. Inlays, Crowns, & Bridges iii. 17 Any caries remaining is excavated and these localized excavations are filled with cement.
c. To put or throw into (a receptacle) by way of filling it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] > by way of filling
fill1884
1884 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 742 Measured quantities..of [oil-seed] meal are filled into woollen bags.
1906 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 12 Jan. 13 The New Englander curses gold mining. Billions of good, hard New England cash have been filled into those little black holes.
Phrasal verbs
Idiomatically combined with adverbs. (For non-specialized combinations, see the simple senses and the adverbs.) to fill in to fill out to fill up
1. transitive. To complete (an outline).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > make complete [verb (transitive)] > complete an outline
to fill in1858
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > fill > fill a vacant space or place
complisha1500
to fill up1598
to fill in1858
to fill out1880
1858 A. H. Clough Amours de Voyage in Atlantic Monthly Apr. 671 A chamber filled-in with harmonious, exquisite pictures.
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 269 The outline is commanding..and there is no detail with which our materials enable us to fill it in at all, which is not in perfect harmony with the whole.
1883 Sat. Rev. 8 Sept. 302 The aposiopesis is seldom filled in.
2. To put in, esp. by speech or in writing, what will occupy a vacancy or vacant place.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > [verb (transitive)] > fill in with writing
to fill up1802
enface1861
to fill in1893
accomplish1918
1893 Sir J. W. Chitty in Law Times Rep. 68 430/1 He had left the date blank for the plaintiff to fill in.
1962 Rep. Comm. Broadcasting 1960 224 in Parl. Papers 1961–2 (Cmnd. 1753) X. 259 The material to fill-in the programmes when local items were not being broadcast would..be obtained by switching in to one or other of the three national sound services.
1962 Rep. Comm. Broadcasting 1960 231 in Parl. Papers 1961–2 (Cmnd. 1753) X. 259 The form of organisation envisaged by the BBC—that is, of local stations providing their own programmes, and filling in with centrally provided material.
3. Nautical (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > shipbuilding and repairing > build a ship [verb (transitive)] > fit out or equip > close up planks opened for ventilation
to fill in1867
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Filling-in, the replacing a ship's vacant planks opened for ventilation, when preparing her, from ordinary, for sea.
4. to fill in (the) time: to occupy oneself during a period of inaction. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > idleness, lack of occupation or activity > be idle or unoccupied [verb (intransitive)] > occupy oneself in a period of inactivity
to fill in (the) time1905
1905 W. Bodie Bodie Bk. 135 It is simply to fill in the time while I am deciding how to act.
1939 War Illustr. 201 Nurses usefully filling in time while they are off duty.
1966 Listener 15 Dec. 898/2 The film sags, filling in time tediously.
5. to fill (someone) in on: to make (a person) conversant with. Also intransitive and without on. Originally and chiefly U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person)
to teach a person a thingc888
meanOE
wiseOE
sayOE
wittera1225
tellc1225
do to witc1275
let witc1275
let seec1330
inform1384
form1399
lerea1400
to wit (a person) to saya1400
learn1425
advertise1431
givec1449
insense?c1450
instruct1489
ascertain1490
let1490
alighta1500
advert1511
signify1523
reform1535
advise1562
partake1565
resolve1568
to do to ware1594
to let into one's knowledge1596
intellect1599
possess1600
acquainta1616
alighten1615
recommenda1616
intelligence1637
apprise1694
appraise1706
introduce1741
avail1785
prime1791
document1807
to put up1811
to put a person au fait of1828
post1847
to keep (someone) straight1862
monish1866
to put next to1896
to put (one) wise (to)1896
voice1898
in the picture1900
to give (someone) a line on1903
to wise up1905
drum1908
hip1932
to fill (someone) in on1945
clue1948
background1961
to mark a person's card1961
to loop in1994
1945 E. Newhouse Many are Called (1952) 192 Can you fill me in on them?
1951 Time 19 Mar. 46/3 He felt chipper enough to spend an hour..with General MacArthur ‘filling in’ on U.S. affairs.
1951 L. Z. Hobson Celebrity (1953) vi. 78 He had called Roy Tribble and asked to be filled in on Jim Hathaway.
1955 Bull. Atomic Scientists Sept. 248/3 It would be incorrect and unfair to say that the AEC has altogether failed to ‘fill in’ reporters who have called upon its information division for guidance.
1960 ‘R. East’ Kingston Black xix. 178 I filled in for Kitty.
1962 H. Burnett Nothing Sacred (caption) You've been candid about my faults, so I'd be glad to fill you in about your own!
6. (See quot. 1948.) slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > beat [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person
to-beatc893
threshOE
bustc1225
to lay on or upon?c1225
berrya1250
to-bunea1250
touchc1330
arrayc1380
byfrapc1380
boxc1390
swinga1400
forbeatc1420
peal?a1425
routa1425
noddlea1450
forslinger1481
wipe1523
trima1529
baste1533
waulk1533
slip1535
peppera1550
bethwack1555
kembc1566
to beat (a person) black and blue1568
beswinge1568
paik1568
trounce1568
canvass1573
swaddle?1577
bebaste1582
besoop1589
bumfeage1589
dry-beat1589
feague1589
lamback1589
clapperclaw1590
thrash1593
belam1595
lam1595
beswaddle1598
bumfeagle1598
belabour1600
tew1600
flesh-baste1611
dust1612
feeze1612
mill1612
verberate1614
bethumpa1616
rebuke1619
bemaul1620
tabor1624
maula1627
batterfang1630
dry-baste1630
lambaste1637
thunder-thump1637
cullis1639
dry-banga1640
nuddle1640
sauce1651
feak1652
cotton1654
fustigate1656
brush1665
squab1668
raddle1677
to tan (a person's) hide1679
slam1691
bebump1694
to give (a person) his load1694
fag1699
towel1705
to kick a person's butt1741
fum1790
devel1807
bray1808
to beat (also scare, etc.) someone's daylights out1813
mug1818
to knock (a person) into the middle of next week1821
welt1823
hidea1825
slate1825
targe1825
wallop1825
pounce1827
to lay into1838
flake1841
muzzle1843
paste1846
looder1850
frail1851
snake1859
fettle1863
to do over1866
jacket1875
to knock seven kinds of —— out of (a person)1877
to take apart1880
splatter1881
to beat (knock, etc.) the tar out of1884
to —— the shit out of (a person or thing)1886
to do up1887
to —— (the) hell out of1887
to beat — bells out of a person1890
soak1892
to punch out1893
stoush1893
to work over1903
to beat up1907
to punch up1907
cream1929
shellac1930
to —— the bejesus out of (a person or thing)1931
duff1943
clobber1944
to fill in1948
to bash up1954
to —— seven shades of —— out of (a person or thing)1976
to —— seven shades out of (a person or thing)1983
beast1990
becurry-
fan-
1948 E. Partridge et al. Dict. Forces' Slang 69 Fill in, to, to give someone a good hiding... (Lower-deck.)
1959 Times 3 Mar. 3/4 A naval rating accused of murdering..an antique dealer..was alleged to have..said: ‘I filled in a chap and took his money.’
1. transitive. To enlarge or extend to the desired limit. Cf. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > expand or enlarge [verb (transitive)] > to desired limit
to fill out1672
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. iii. 22 Whom Pomp and Greatness sit so loose about, That he wants Majesty to fill 'em out.
1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility vi. 278 They may not..so fill out the sails of our reputation in this world.
2. intransitive. To become distended, or rounded in outline.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > expand or enlarge [verb (intransitive)] > distend
distend1667
bluffa1722
extend1753
to fill out1851
the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > broad shape or physique > [verb (intransitive)] > fat or plump
forwaxc897
fatc1000
burnish1398
battle1575
pinguefy1598
bellya1642
fatten1676
(to be) in flesh1677
thrive1711
feed1727
bloat1735
plumpen1795
to fill out1851
stouten1863
1851 W. B. Carpenter Man. Physiol. (ed. 2) 360 As each set of muscles is relaxed, the veins..fill out again.
1888 Illustr. Sporting & Dramatic News 21 Jan. 511/1 Merry Hampton [horse] is thickening and filling out.
1937 V. Woolf Years 334 How nice to see you—you've filled out.
3. transitive. To pour out (wine, etc.). Cf. 13.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or fact of pouring or being poured > pour [verb (transitive)] > out
fillc1450
forthyete1513
pour1539
to fill out1602
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida ii. sig. D3v Fill out Greeke wines.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. viii. v. 174 Filling out a Glass of Wine. View more context for this quotation
1864 G. Dyce Bella Donna II. 145 The tea was filled out and getting cold.
4. = to fill up 7 at Phrasal verbs, to fill in 2 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > fill > fill a vacant space or place
complisha1500
to fill up1598
to fill in1858
to fill out1880
1880 [implied in: Daily News 26 Aug. 2/3 The booking clerk gives him a filled-out memorandum. (at filled adj. 2)].
1903 W. E. Curtis True Abraham Lincoln 59 Mr. Lanman forwarded to him a blank to be filled out with facts and dates.
1941 Amer. Speech 16 310/1 The borrower fills out a call card.
1963 H. Garner in R. Weaver Canad. Short Stories (1968) 2nd Ser. 44 I filled out a ‘first off’ tag and attached it to the inspected part.
1967 Boston Sunday Globe 23 Apr. (Parade) 27/4 (advt.) So fill out the coupon and send it to us. We'll send you all the details about Canada '67.
‘Up is often used without much addition to the force of the verb’ (Johnson). † 4. To come up to the measure of; to equal.† 5. To complete the measure of. Obsolete.† 6. To fulfil, satisfy. Obsolete.
Thesaurus »
1. transitive. To fill to repletion.
2. To complete the process of filling; to fill the vacant parts or places in (anything); to supply the deficiencies in.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > fill > bring up to capacity
to fill up1712
to top up1937
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 63 Your Wiues, your Daughters..could not fill vp The Cesterne of my Lust. View more context for this quotation
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 432. ⁋11 When you want a Trifle to fill up a Paper.
1780 A. McDougall in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) III. 136 They have passed very decisive laws for filling up their regiments for the war.
1827 W. Scott Bonnie Dundee in London Lit. Gaz. 8 Dec. 786 Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can.
1846 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. in Wks. II. 209/2 He has left us a design to fill up.
1891 ‘S. C. Scrivener’ Our Fields & Cities 72 These people could fill up their time at agriculture.
3. To supply (a deficiency, a vacancy); to provide an occupant for (a vacant post).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ
hirec1000
i-bye10..
i-hirec1000
soldc1386
takea1400
retain1437
wage1465
conduct1476
fee1488
conduce1502
implya1533
entertain1572
enter1585
wager1592
to fill up1598
to take on1611
improve1640
to speak for ——a1688
employa1727
engage1753
ploy1871
to turn on1893
to book up1915
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > fill > fill a vacant space or place
complisha1500
to fill up1598
to fill in1858
to fill out1880
society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > fill a vacant position
filla1616
replenish1632
to fill up1891
person1972
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. ii. 32 Such haue I to fill vp the roomes of them as haue bought out their seruices. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Coloss. i. 24 Who..fill vp that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh. View more context for this quotation
1694 F. Bragge Pract. Disc. Parables v. 181 A numerous progeny to..fill up the vacancies left by the fall of the rebel angels.
1891 Law Times 90 419/2 He has had to fill up two High Court judgeships.
ΚΠ
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 193 How manie inches doth fill vp one mile? View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > make complete [verb (transitive)] > complete the full amount of
mete1600
to fill up1611
complete1649
to fill up (also fill full) the measure of1820
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Thess. ii. 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway. View more context for this quotation
1642 Chauncy in Bradford Plymouth Plantation (1856) 396 God sometimes hids a sinner until his wickednes is filled up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (transitive)] > carry into effect (a command, promise, plan, etc.)
fillOE
fulfilc1300
performc1300
executec1405
to draw in(to) consequencec1420
forthfillc1420
persolve1548
to go through ——a1586
effecta1593
to fill up1600
complete1680
to carry (something) into effect (also execution, practice, etc.)1715
implement1806
to put into effect1936
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)] > satisfy (needs or desires)
sleckc1175
stanch1340
fulfilc1384
satiatec1450
satisfyc1475
slockc1480
expletea1500
supplya1513
satisfice?1531
suffice1533
stake1550
to fill up1600
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 158 Comes..to fill vp your graces request in my stead. View more context for this quotation
7. To write what is requisite in the blank space or spaces of a cheque, form, etc. Cf. to fill in 2 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > [verb (transitive)] > fill in with writing
to fill up1802
enface1861
to fill in1893
accomplish1918
1802 Ld. Eldon in Vesey's Reports VII. 78 A blank, left for the name of the person..was not filled up.
1885 Act 48 Vict. c. 15 Sched. ii. Forms, Part ii. Form (A) You are hereby required to fill up accurately the under-written form.
1885 Manch. Examiner 3 June 4/7 One of them [cheques] he filled up for £1,000.
8. To stop up; to do away with (a hole) by filling.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close an aperture or orifice
ditc1000
shut1362
steekc1380
stopc1400
quirt1532
to close up1542
to fill up1598
unspar1611
caulk1616
cork1650
busha1659
instop1667
close1697
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > fill > fill a vacant space or place > fill a hole or gap
stop1388
stuff1597
to fill up1598
to fay in1847
infill1958
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. ii. 116 To fill the mouth of deepe defiance vp. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. iii. 101 Ile fill your Graue vp. View more context for this quotation
1804 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. III. 106 A commoner cannot fill up rabbit burrows, made by the lord.
1896 N.E.D. at Fill Mod. There was a pond here, but it has been filled up.
9. intransitive. ‘To grow full’ (Johnson) Of (the bed of) a sea: To silt up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > sediment or alluvium > [verb (intransitive)] > silt up
to fill up1695
1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 50 Neither the Palus Mœotis..nor any other Seas, fill up, or by degrees grow shallower.
Compounds
The verb-stem is prefixed to various nouns, forming nouns with the sense ‘he who or that which fills something’.† fill-knag n. Obsolete ? a drunkard.† fill-square n. Geometry Obsolete one of the complements of a square.
fill-basket n. a name applied by gardeners to certain large or prolific kinds of peas, potatoes, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > pulses or plants producing pulses > [noun] > pea > other types of pea or pea-plant
rouncival1570
garden pea1573
field pease1597
vale-grey1615
rose pea1629
hotspur1663
seven-year pea1672
rathe-ripe1677
huff-codc1680
pigeon pea1683
hog-pease1686
shrub pea1691
field pea1707
pea1707
crown pea1726
maple rouncival1731
marrowfat1731
moratto1731
pig pea1731
sickle-pea1731
hog pea1732
maple pea1732
marrow pea1733
black eye?1740
egg-pea1744
magotty bay bean1789
Prussian1804
maple grey1805
partridge pea1812
Prussian blue1822
scimitar1834
marrow1855
fill-basket1881
string-pea1891
mattar1908
vining pea1959
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > vegetables > pulse > [noun] > pea > other peas
garden pea1573
rathe-ripe1677
pigeon pea1683
sugar pea1707
marrowfat1731
moratto1731
maple pea1732
egg-pea1744
petits pois1820
pea1866
fill-basket1881
string-pea1891
vining pea1959
1881 Oxfordsh. Gloss. Suppl. Fill basket, a large kind of pea.
fill-belly n. a glutton.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > excessive consumption of food or drink > [noun] > gluttony > glutton
glutton?c1225
glutc1394
globberc1400
glofferc1440
gluttoner1482
gourmanda1492
ravener1496
belly1526
golofer1529
lurcher1530
cormorant1531
flesh-fly1532
full-belly1536
belly-godc1540
flap-sauce1540
gourmander1542
gully-gut1542
locust1545
glosser1549
greedy-guts1550
hungry gut1552
belly-slave1562
fill-belly1563
grand paunch1569
belly-paunch1570
belly-swainc1571
trencher-slave1571
slapsauce1573
gorche1577
helluo1583
gormandizer1589
eat-all1598
engorger1598
guts1598
guller1604
gourmandist1607
barathrum1609
eatnell1611
snapsauce1611
Phaeacian?1614
gutling1617
overeater1621
polyphage1623
tenterbelly1628
gut-head1629
stiffgut1630
gobble-guts1632
gulist1632
polyphagian1658
fill-paunch1659
gype1662
gulchin1671
stretch-gut1673
gastrolater1694
gundy-gut1699
guttler1732
gobbler1755
trencher-hero1792
gorger1817
polyphagist1819
battenera1849
stuff-guts1875
chowhound1917
gannet1929
Billy Bunter1939
guzzle-guts1959
garbage can1963
foodaholic1965
1563 T. Becon Reliques of Rome (rev. ed.) f. 49v They are fylbellyes and Epicures.
fill-dike adj. (also fill-the-dike) epithets of the month February.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a month or calendar month > specific months > [noun] > February
Februaryc1225
leap-month1566
fill-dike1611
sprout-kale1778
fill-ditch1879
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Fevrier Because it is commonly the foulest..wee call it [sc. February], Fill-dike.
fill-ditch adj. = fill-dike adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a month or calendar month > specific months > [noun] > February
Februaryc1225
leap-month1566
fill-dike1611
sprout-kale1778
fill-ditch1879
1879 R. Jefferies Wild Life 314 In February—‘fill-ditch’, as the old folk call it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [noun] > one who drinks to excess
houndOE
drinkerc1200
keach-cup?c1225
gulchcupa1250
bollerc1320
taverner1340
ale stake?1515
wine-bibber1535
bibber1536
swill-bowl1542
malt-wormc1550
rinse-pitcher1552
bibblera1556
ale knight1556
tosspot1568
ring-pigger1570
troll-the-bowl1575
malt-bug1577
gossip-pint-pot1580
black pot1582
alehouse knight1583
worrier1584
suck-spigot1585
bezzle1592
bezzlera1593
cup-leech1593
soaker1593
carouser1596
barley-cap1598
swiller1598
rob-pot1599
Philistine1600
sponge1600
wine-knight1601
fill-knaga1605
reel-pot1604
faithful1609
fill-pot1609
bouser1611
spigot-sucker1611
suck-pint1611
whip-can1611
bib-all-night1612
afternoon man1615
potling1616
Bacchanalian1617
bombard1617
pot-shot1617
potisuge1620
trougha1625
tumbrila1625
borachioa1627
pot-leech1630
kill-pota1637
biberon1637
bang-pitcher1639
son of Bacchusc1640
shuffler1642
suck-bottlea1652
swill-pot1653
poter1657
potatora1660
old soaker1665
fuddle cap1666
old toast1668
bubber1669
toper1673
ale-toast1691
Bacchant1699
fuddler1699
swill-belly1699
tickle-pitcher1699
whetter1709
draughtsmanc1720
bender1728
drammer1740
dram-drinker1744
drammist1756
rum-bud1805
siper1805
Bacchanal1812
boozera1819
rum-sucker1819
soak1820
imp of the spigot1821
polyposist1821
wineskin1821
sack-guzzler1823
sitfast1828
swill-flagon1829
cup-man1834
swiper1836
Lushington1851
lushing-man1859
bloat1860
pottle pot1860
tipsificator1873
tipsifier1873
pegger1874
swizzler1876
bibulant1883
toss-cup1883
lusher1895
stew-bum1902
shicker1906
stiff1907
souse1915
booze-hound1926
stumblebum1932
tanker1932
lush-hound1935
lushy1944
lush-head1945
binge drinker1946
pisshead1946
hophead1948
a1605 Polwart Flyting with Montgomerie 790 Buttrie bag, fill knag!
fill-paunch n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > excessive consumption of food or drink > [noun] > gluttony > glutton
glutton?c1225
glutc1394
globberc1400
glofferc1440
gluttoner1482
gourmanda1492
ravener1496
belly1526
golofer1529
lurcher1530
cormorant1531
flesh-fly1532
full-belly1536
belly-godc1540
flap-sauce1540
gourmander1542
gully-gut1542
locust1545
glosser1549
greedy-guts1550
hungry gut1552
belly-slave1562
fill-belly1563
grand paunch1569
belly-paunch1570
belly-swainc1571
trencher-slave1571
slapsauce1573
gorche1577
helluo1583
gormandizer1589
eat-all1598
engorger1598
guts1598
guller1604
gourmandist1607
barathrum1609
eatnell1611
snapsauce1611
Phaeacian?1614
gutling1617
overeater1621
polyphage1623
tenterbelly1628
gut-head1629
stiffgut1630
gobble-guts1632
gulist1632
polyphagian1658
fill-paunch1659
gype1662
gulchin1671
stretch-gut1673
gastrolater1694
gundy-gut1699
guttler1732
gobbler1755
trencher-hero1792
gorger1817
polyphagist1819
battenera1849
stuff-guts1875
chowhound1917
gannet1929
Billy Bunter1939
guzzle-guts1959
garbage can1963
foodaholic1965
1659 G. Torriano Florio's Vocabolario Italiano & Inglese Tira-pancia, a stretch-gut, a gulch~bellie, a fill-panch.
fill-pot n. ? a tippler.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [noun] > one who drinks to excess
houndOE
drinkerc1200
keach-cup?c1225
gulchcupa1250
bollerc1320
taverner1340
ale stake?1515
wine-bibber1535
bibber1536
swill-bowl1542
malt-wormc1550
rinse-pitcher1552
bibblera1556
ale knight1556
tosspot1568
ring-pigger1570
troll-the-bowl1575
malt-bug1577
gossip-pint-pot1580
black pot1582
alehouse knight1583
worrier1584
suck-spigot1585
bezzle1592
bezzlera1593
cup-leech1593
soaker1593
carouser1596
barley-cap1598
swiller1598
rob-pot1599
Philistine1600
sponge1600
wine-knight1601
fill-knaga1605
reel-pot1604
faithful1609
fill-pot1609
bouser1611
spigot-sucker1611
suck-pint1611
whip-can1611
bib-all-night1612
afternoon man1615
potling1616
Bacchanalian1617
bombard1617
pot-shot1617
potisuge1620
trougha1625
tumbrila1625
borachioa1627
pot-leech1630
kill-pota1637
biberon1637
bang-pitcher1639
son of Bacchusc1640
shuffler1642
suck-bottlea1652
swill-pot1653
poter1657
potatora1660
old soaker1665
fuddle cap1666
old toast1668
bubber1669
toper1673
ale-toast1691
Bacchant1699
fuddler1699
swill-belly1699
tickle-pitcher1699
whetter1709
draughtsmanc1720
bender1728
drammer1740
dram-drinker1744
drammist1756
rum-bud1805
siper1805
Bacchanal1812
boozera1819
rum-sucker1819
soak1820
imp of the spigot1821
polyposist1821
wineskin1821
sack-guzzler1823
sitfast1828
swill-flagon1829
cup-man1834
swiper1836
Lushington1851
lushing-man1859
bloat1860
pottle pot1860
tipsificator1873
tipsifier1873
pegger1874
swizzler1876
bibulant1883
toss-cup1883
lusher1895
stew-bum1902
shicker1906
stiff1907
souse1915
booze-hound1926
stumblebum1932
tanker1932
lush-hound1935
lushy1944
lush-head1945
binge drinker1946
pisshead1946
hophead1948
1609 Euerie Woman in her Humor sig. B3 There, my fine fil-pots: giue the word as you passe.
fill-sack n. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > wealth > [noun] > rich or wealthy person
rich manOE
richOE
Divesc1386
richlingc1445
stuffed manc1460
cob1548
wealthling1581
tercel-gentle1597
good liver1602
goldfinch1603
fill-sack1641
dorado1643
wealth-monger1654
a man, etc. of fortune1732
nabob1760
nawab1826
rico1844
abounder1876
high roller1876
fat cat1928
richie1954
wealth-holder1957
jet-setter1959
1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia sig. Fv The people then called him fill-sacks, by reason of his great wealth.
fill-space n. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > action of padding > matter used as padding
stuffing1551
bombast1575
fill-space1827
skip1833
padding1861
Polyfilla1979
1827 C. Lamb Lett. (1935) III. 75 The Artist (who had clapt in Miss merely as a fill-space).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > shape or figure > [noun] > two-dimensional > quadrilateral > square
fill-square1551
square1551
power1570
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. i. xvi When there are more then one [square] made about one bias line, the filsquares of euery of them muste needes be equall.
Draft additions June 2013
to fill a person's shoes (also boots): to take over another person’s function or duties, esp. to do so satisfactorily. Cf. to step into the shoes of at shoe n. 2k.
ΚΠ
1831 Standard 15 Nov. The name of his alleged successor is also impudently brought forward, as if there were one man capable of filling his shoes.
1854 Belfast News-Let. 26 May Mr. Gladstone will have bequeathed a pleasant reversion to the Chancellor of the Exchequer who may then fill his shoes.
1920 N.Y. Tribune 26 Oct. 10/5 Think you I'd like to fill his boots?—Youbetcherhat!
1927 F. M. Thrasher Gang iv. xx. 416 There is always a new crop coming on—of younger fellows from whom emerge men to fill the shoes of ‘the old barons’ when they are slain or ‘put away’.
1990 D. Bolger Journey Home (1991) ii. 48 I can't fill his boots, Katie. And I've lived in his shadow so long I don't know what to do without him.
2006 Time Out N.Y. 13 July 138/2 Don't razz Roth for washing out in Stern's morning slot unless you're convinced you could have filled those shoes yourself.
Draft additions June 2013
British colloquial. to fill one's boots: to take full advantage of an opportunity to benefit oneself; to take as much as one wants of something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > have the opportunity [verb (intransitive)] > take the opportunity
to make hay while the sun shines1546
to take occasion by the foretopa1577
to stir one's timea1578
to fill one's boots1969
1969 J. Burmeister Hot & Copper Sky iv. 67 I'll bet you're filling your boots.
1975 Financial Times 22 Dec. 13/6 Investors must bear in mind the risk factor... If, in their view, these factors are unimportant, then the message from London brokers, to quote one, is ‘fill your boots’.
1996 Independent 10 July ii. 5/1 When times were good, insurers that underwrote the policies filled their boots with our cash.
2001 C. Glazebrook Madolescents 96 You could be opening yourself up to a whole new culinary experience. Come on, fill your boots, young'un.
2010 Field Feb. 55/2 If you have not caught big cod before, by all means fill your boots, but I guarantee that you will forget them once you have caught a big coalfish.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1c893
n.21600
v.OE