a. (sb.) Gardening. Also 6–7 -arie. [ad. rare L. topiāri-us: see prec. Cf. F. topiaire adj. and sb. (Rabelais, 1548).] Consisting in clipping and trimming shrubs, etc., into ornamental or fantastic shapes.
1592. R. D., Hypnerotomachia, 51. By a turnyng downe the transomes, did joyne decently one with the other with a Topiarie woorke. [Cf. F. ouvrage topiaire.]
1644. Evelyn, Diary, 22 Oct. There was much topiary worke, and columns in architecture about the hedges.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 184. No topiary Hedge of Quickset Was e’re so neatly cut.
1838–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., IV. IV. v. § 52. Rapin was a great admirer of box and all topiary works, or trees cut into artificial forms.
1902. Lond. Mag., June, 474. A topiary garden is by no means an inexpensive hobby to indulge in.
b. sb. The topiary art; the training and clipping of trees into artificial shapes.
1908. Sphere, 10 Oct., 30/1. Topiary is essentially the art of a leisurely age, for it takes a long time to develop a tree into the acquired shape.
