Fill

v. t. [imp. & p. p. FILLED; p. pr. & vb. n. FILLING.] [A-S. fyllan, from full, full, q. v.; Goth. fulljan, O. H. Ger. fullan, M. H. Ger. vullen, N. H. Ger. fullen, D. vullen, Sw. fylla, Dan. fylde.]

1Sense 1. To make full; to supply with as much as can be held or contained; to put or pour into, till no more can be received; to occupy the whole capacity of.

The rain also filleth the pools. Ps. lxxxiv. 6.

Fill the water-pots with water; and they filled them up to the brim. John ii. 7.

Gentle breath of yours my sails must fill. Shak.

2Sense 2. To supply abundantly; to cause to abound; to furnish with as much as is desired or desirable.

Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas. Gen. i. 22.

The Syrians filled the country. 1 Kings xx. 27.

3Sense 3. To satisfy; to content; to glut.

Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness as to fill so great a multitude? Matt. xv. 33.

Things that are sweet and fat are more filling. Bacon.

4Sense 4. To possess and perform the duties of; to officiate in, as an incumbent; to occupy; to hold; as, a king fills a throne; the president fills the office of chief magistrate; the speaker of the House fills the chair.

5Sense 5. To supply with an incumbent; as, to fill an office or a vacancy. Hamilton.

To fill in, to insert so as to fill.—To fill out, to extend or enlarge to the desired limit.—To fill up, to make quite full; to fill to the brim or entirely; to occupy completely; to complete. “It pours the bliss that fills up all the mind.” Pope. “And fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.” Col. i. 24.

v. i. 1. To become full; to have the whole capacity occupied; to have an abundant supply; to be satiated; as, corn fills well in a warm season; the sail fills with the wind.

2Sense 2. To fill a cup or glass for drinking; to give to drink.

In the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double. Rev. xviii. 6.

To fill up, to grow or become quite full; as, the channel of the river fills up with sand.

n. 1. A full supply; as much as supplies want; as much as gives complete satisfaction. “Where I may weep my fill.” Shak.

The land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill. Lev. xxv. 19.

2Sense 2. A thill, or shaft of a carriage. Mortimer.