top loftn.
/ˌtɒp ˈlɒft/, /ˈtɒp lɒft/, U.S. /ˈtɑp ˌlɔft/, /ˈtɑp ˌlɑft/ 1. A loft at the top of a building; an upper storey, floor, or apartment.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > types of room by situation > [noun] > upper room or loft
sollarc897
roostOE
loftc1385
cellara1400
roofc1405
garret1483
solier1483
hall of stage1485
coploft1571
cockloftc1580
tallet1586
cotloft1642
chamber1644
kitchen loft1648
vance-roof1655
sky-parlour1777
attic1818
soleret1851
overhead1949
dormer room1951
1644 Inventory M. Cox in J. S. Moore Clifton & Westbury Probate Inventories (1981) 82 In the new top Laft 1 half head Bedsteed and Bead and all belonging to them.
1778 Morning Chron. 25 May A wheel-wright was accidentally killed.., in consequence of a piece of timber falling on his head from the top loft of the mill.
1861 J. Hollingshead Ragged London 97 A small room with a staircase like a ladder, leading up into the top loft.
1971 H. Dulany Falling ii. 47 He sees Hank at the edge of the top loft of the barn, three stories up, holding the ropes from the block and tackle apparatus.
2014 J. T. Hawks Spark ii. 15 For the last two years, I've lived in the top loft of an industrial building in New York's Chinatown.
2. figurative (colloquial). The head considered as the seat of the mental faculties; the brain, the mind. archaic in later use.Frequently in phrases indicating a lack of rationality or sanity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > [noun] > as seat of mind
noddle1579
pate1598
the (also one's) upper storey (also storeys)1699
gourda1844
1882 Theatre May 258 He's always a-spouting out of big books and writing away like the parson. 'Tis my impression as he's got wrong in his top loft.
1928 New McClure's Nov. 69 I hoped you'd prove a pet theory of mine that a guy with brains has an edge on these athletes. Most of em have concrete in their top loft.
1980 J. Murray Town Bronze (2003) 74 Sophia had always had some decidedly odd notions in her top-loft.
2020 J. Chambers Restored (e-book, accessed 22 Feb. 2022) ‘I can't believe you wouldn't let him give you the money!’ she exclaimed. ‘I think you're touched in your top loft, Kit. He owed you that.’
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2022).
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n.1644