ˈroll-top, a. and n.
[f. roll v.2]
A. adj.
1. roll-top desk, a writing-desk having a roll-over top or cover.
| 1887 Trial H. K. Goodwin (Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court) 15 That shows the position of the roll-top desk which was in the front office. 1890 in Cent. Dict. 1901 Westm. Gaz. 7 Feb. 8/2 Ousting an old-fashioned table in favour of a roll-top desk. 1923 R. Herrick Homely Lilla xi. 173 A young woman looked up from the roll-top desk where she was running over a typed list of names. 1933 H. Nicolson Jrnl. 27 Jan. (1980) i. 47 Two brown-wood roll-top desks are pushed against the wall. 1977 C. McCullough Thorn Birds vii. 130 The roll-top desk stood alongside one of the big windows. |
2. Applied to other items having a roll-over top or a top with a rolled shape.
| 1977 Wandsworth Borough News 7 Oct. 22/1 (Advt.), Kitchen/breakfast room..with Ascot sink water heater, solid fuel boiler, built-in larder, glazed china cupboard and small roll-top bath. 1977 Time 19 Dec. 43/1 A trendy new kitchen..may..include a Fasar range,..chopping-block islands with separate vegetable sinks, a rolltop condiment ‘garage’, [etc.]. |
B. n.
1. A roll-top desk.
| 1895 in Funk's Stand. Dict. 1912 W. Owen Let. 23 Mar. (1967) 125, I have suffered in being informed that the ‘Roll Top’ is sold. 1932 E. Bowen To North xii. 115 It was a relief not having her sprawling to telephone over Emmeline's roll top. 1980 Family Handyman Sept. 28/1 He'd priced rolltops in a downtown department store and knew he'd cut the cost in half. |
2. The flexible top of a roll-top desk.
| 1913 in Webster. 1978 M. Kenyon Deep Pocket viii. 91 Peckover sat at the desk, slid the roll-top up. |