tup

American  

[tuhp] / tʌp /

noun

1. Chiefly British. a male sheep; ram.

2. the head of a falling hammerlike mechanism, as of a steam hammer or pile driver.

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verb (used with object)

tupped, tupping

1. Chiefly British. (of a ram) to copulate with (a ewe).

verb (used without object)

tupped, tupping

1. Chiefly British. (of a ewe) to copulate.

tup British  

/ tʌp /

noun

1. an uncastrated male sheep; ram

2. the head of a pile-driver or steam hammer

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verb

1. to cause (a ram) to mate with a ewe, or (of a ram) to mate with (a ewe)

2. dialect to butt (someone), as in a fight

Etymology

Origin of tup

1300–50; Middle English tope, tupe ram, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

O may thou ne'er forgather up make friends Wi' ony blastit moorland tup; But ay keep mind to moop an' mell, nibble, meddle Wi' sheep o' credit like thysel!

From Robert Burns How To Know Him by Neilson, William Allan

It finally, with many improvements in detail, grew into a monster, the hammer-head, or "tup," being a mass of many tons.

From Steam, Steel and Electricity by Steele, James W.

The Saxon stock then became the rage, and the introduction of a tup of that country diminished greatly the weight of the fleece, without adequately improving its fineness.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

O Lord, when hunger pinches sore, Do thou stand us in stead, And send us, from thy bounteous store, A tup or wether head!

From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Burns, Robert

"He'll be a Teviotdale tup tat ane," said the chairman, "tat's for keeping ta crown o' ta causeway tat gate—he'll no gang far or he'll get somebody to bell ta cat wi' him."

From Guy Mannering by Scott, Walter, Sir