See Also: topic(medicine)
topic(dictionary)
topic(dictionary)

topic (iou)



topic noun & adjective. L15.
[As noun from Latin topica, from Greek topika (adjective) in ta topika lit. 'matters concerning commonplaces' (title of a treatise by Aristotle), from topos place, commonplace; as adjective from Greek topikos, from topos.]
A. noun.
I.
Rhetoric. In pl. A set of general rules, maxims, or ideas on various subjects; a work containing these, spec. that by Aristotle. Now rare. L15.
a. An argument, esp. a stock argument. M17-M19.
Sir W. Scott Interrupting those tears to suggest topics of hope and comfort.
b. A category under which arguments or subjects may be arranged. obsolete exc. as in sense 3. M17.
A theme or subject for a book, essay, sermon, lecture, conversation, etc. E18.
A. J. Cronin Giving Miss Page matter for serious reflection and another topic to discuss. J. Berger The scandal..was still a topic of conversation. A. Kenny He had decided and outspoken views on a variety of topics.
b. Linguistics. A part of a sentence which indicates what is being talked about and about which the rest of the sentence makes a statement, asks a question, etc. Opp. COMMENT noun 5. Cf. THEME noun 1c. M20.
II.
Medicine. A remedy applied externally to a particular part of the body. L16-M18.
B. adjective.
I.
Of a rule or argument: applicable in most but not all cases; not demonstrative, but merely probable. L16-M17.
II.
= TOPICAL adjective 1. E17-L18.
Medicine. = TOPICAL adjective 2. Only in 17.