English

big top

A circus tent, especially the largest in a given circus, where the central attractions take place.

    Etymology graph

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    • derived
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    • meaning component
    • sound component
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    Origin

    From big + top.

    From Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

    Lineage

    • partEnglishbig “Of great size, large.”
      • inheritedNorthern Middle Englishbig
        • derivedProto-Germanic*bugja- “swollen up, thick”
      • inheritedMiddle Englishbiggen
        • derivedOld Norsebyggja “to build, settle”
      • inheritedMiddle Englishbyge
        • derivedOld Norsebygg “barley, probably Hordeum vulgare, common barley”
    • partEnglishtop “The highest or uppermost part of something.”
      • inheritedMiddle Englishtop
        • inheritedOld Englishtopp “top, highest part; summit; crest; tassel, tuft; (spinning) top, ball; a tuft or ball at the highest…”

    Sources