topspinn.
/ˈtɒpspɪn/, U.S. /ˈtɑpˌspin/ 1. A fast forward spinning motion imparted to a ball when struck, thrown, etc., typically resulting in a strong forward motion on bouncing or coming into contact with another object and (if travelling through the air) a dip in trajectory towards the end of its flight. Cf. overspin n., top n.1 41.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > [noun] > motion of ball
twist1857
rebound1894
top1901
overspin1904
stuff1905
undercut1920
top-twist-
1888 Bury & Norwich Post 14 Aug. 6/2 A keen observer of Miss L. Dod's play gives it as the secret of her success that she has a perfect forehand drive, a direct upward stroke without side twist, which, if it does anything beyond propelling the ball at a great pace, puts a forward top spin upon it, and has the effect of causing it to keep low on coming in contact with the ground.
1913 Daily Mail 7 July 9/2 A good straight ball, with top spin, that comes off the ground very quickly.
1954 Morning Bull. (Rockhampton, Queensland) 6 Oct. 10/5 When lobbing into the wind it pays to keep the ball lower with a longer trajectory and top spin on the ball.
1992 Golf Monthly May 164 Because you are hitting the top of the ball, you will get topspin and the ball will roll farther.
2019 TVEyes (Nexis) (transcript of TV programme) 20 Jan. If he plays this with lots of topspin, he might be able to run through the pink and still get position on the black.
2. figurative. An additional element or quality in the expression or presentation of something; a slant put on something. Cf. spin n.1 Additions.
ΚΠ
1938 Daily Mail 28 Sept. 16/5 I had put a considerable amount of top spin on the final word, to indicate displeasure, but it was wasted on the man.
1991 L. Barber Mostly Men (1992) p. xvii I also like to ask questions with a bit of a topspin: ‘You obviously think you're a pretty wonderful person—why?’
2015 L. Childs Ming Tea Murders (2016) viii. 69 ‘All my tea drinking has built up certain immunities,’ said Theodosia, putting a topspin of bravado on her words.
Compounds
As a modifier, usually in tennis and table tennis, typically designating shots played with topspin imparted on the ball, as in topspin backhand, topspin forehand, topspin lob, etc.
ΚΠ
1912 Standard 13 Apr. 12/5 McCormack's most useful asset was a top-spin forehand drive, which he frequently swished down the side lines at a great pace.
1933 Daily Tel. 23 Mar. 19/7 He would throw up a top-spin lob to recover position.
1936 Times 8 Feb. 6/7 Some slow, top-spin forehand drives tempted his opponent to overhit, so that Bergl won a close game at 21–19.
1977 Time 4 July 10/3 Guillermo Vilas,..winner of the French Open last month, never could get his big topspin game going on grass.
2006 Play: N.Y. Times Sports Mag. Sept. 82/1 Federer now hits a very hard, deep topspin backhand..to a point just slightly on the ad side of Nadal's baseline.
2021 Observer (Nexis) 23 Oct. She possesses a wicked topspin forehand.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2022).
<
n.1888