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/tˈɑpɪk/ Listen

noun

Topic n.

(a)

One of the various general forms of argument employed in probable as distinguished from demonstrative reasoning, denominated by Aristotle topoi (literally, places), as being the places or sources from which arguments may be derived, or to which they may be referred; also, a prepared form of argument, applicable to a great variety of cases, with a supply of which the ancient rhetoricians and orators provided themselves; a commonplace of argument or oratory.

(b)

pl. A treatise on forms of argument; a system or scheme of forms or commonplaces of argument or oratory; as, the Topics of Aristotle. "These topics, or loci, were no other than general ideas applicable to a great many different subjects, which the orator was directed to consult." "In this question by (reason) I do not mean a distinct topic, but a transcendent that runs through all topics."

An argument or reason. (Obs.) "Contumacious persons, who are not to be fixed by any principles, whom no topics can work upon."

The subject of any distinct portion of a discourse, or argument, or literary composition; also, the general or main subject of the whole; a matter treated of; a subject, as of conversation or of thought; a matter; a point; a head.

(Med.) An external local application or remedy, as a plaster, a blister, etc. (Obsoles.)

adjective

Topic adj. Topical.

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Etymology of 'Topic'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Topic" Quotes from Famous Books

... never mentioned me to you really?" he says, recurring with persistent hurt vanity to the topic. ...

— Nancy - A Novel • Rhoda Broughton

... into every topic that was introduced; and thus the evening wore on, until it became quite evident to Doctor Gardiner that Mr. Jasper Wilde intended to sit ...

— Jolly Sally Pendleton - The Wife Who Was Not a Wife • Laura Jean Libbey

... Idler, and from that character no deviation could be made. Accordingly, Johnson forgets his austere manner, and plays us into sense. He still continues his lectures on human life, but he adverts to common occurrences, and is often content with the topic of the day. An advertisement in the beginning of the first volume informs us, that twelve entire essays were a contribution from different hands. One of these, No. 33, is the journal of a senior fellow, at Cambridge, but, as Johnson, being himself an original thinker, always revolted from servile ...

— Dr. Johnson's Works: Life, Poems, and Tales, Volume 1 - The Works Of Samuel Johnson, Ll.D., In Nine Volumes • Samuel Johnson

... bound to conclude that Mrs. Poppit with her prying hands had accidentally pressed it. It was like Diva, of course, to break the silence with odious allusions to hoarding, and bitterly she wished that she had not started the topic the other day, but had been content to lay in her stores without so pointedly affirming that she was doing nothing of the kind. But this was no time for vain laments, and restraining a natural impulse ...

— Miss Mapp • Edward Frederic Benson

... that tells of a passionate nature. His manners were gracious, and he had a commanding presence. He was born to be a leader among men. Not only did he converse with ease and readiness on every conceivable topic—not only did strophe after strophe of musical verse flow from his lips with the facility of an improvisatore, but he possessed the supreme art of moving the multitude by an eloquence born of his own impassioned soul. While that suave voice ...

— The Italians • Frances Elliot

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