Obs. [Origin and history obscure. Sense 2 seems to be synonymous with TIP sb.1 1 b.]
1. A small cupola or dome.
1532. in Low, Hampton Court (1885), I. xxvii. 347. Takyng downe of the iiij types upon the great White Tower, and casting and chasyng of the same iiij types.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 157. A porche with a tipe and crokettes gilt.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 932/1. To Leaden hall, where was a goodlie pageant with a type and a heauenlie roofe, and vnder the type was a roote of gold set on a little mounteine.
1607–8. in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), II. 493. Half ynch bord to cover ye type of ye Lover [= Louver].
1613. Chapman, Inns of Court, Plays, 1873, III. 95. Aboue all, was a Coupolo, or Type.
1708. New View Lond., I. 98/2. A Marble Font, whose Tipe or Cover has the Enrichments of Cupids, Fruit Leaves.
2. fig. The summit, acme, or highest point (of honor, dignity, or other state). Cf. TIP sb.1 1 b.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 199. How muche more ought a noble man to fume … when the high tipe of his honor is touched.
1579–80. North, Plutarch (1676), 917. Some of them … attained to the tipe of royal dignity.
1591. Troub. Raigne K. John, II. (1611), 106. As if your highnes were now in the highest tipe of dignitie.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 506. You shall through your rashnesse … tumble downe headlong from the type of so great majestie.
