Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Topic

Top′ic

,
Noun.
[F.
topiques
, pl., L.
topica
the title of a work of Aristotle, Gr.
τοπικά
, fr.
τοπικόσ
of or for place, concerning
τόποι
, or commonplaces, fr.
τόποσ
a place.]
(a)
One of the various general forms of argument employed in probable as distinguished from demonstrative reasoning, – denominated by Aristotle
τόποι
(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.
Blair.
In this question by [reason] I do not mean a distinct
topic
, but a transcendent that runs through all
topics
.
Jer. Taylor.
2.
An argument or reason.
[Obs.]
Contumacious persons, who are not to be fixed by any principles, whom no
topics
can work upon.
Bp. Wilkins.
3.
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.
4.
(Med.)
An external local application or remedy, as a plaster, a blister, etc.
[Obsoles.]
Wiseman.

Top′ic

,
Adj.
Topical.
Drayton. Holland.

Webster 1828 Edition


Topic

TOP'IC

,
Noun.
[Gr. place; L. topicus, topica.]
1.
Any subject of discourse or argument. The Scriptures furnish an unlimited number of topics for the preacher,and topics infinitely interesting.
2.
In rhetoric, a probable argument drawn from the several circumstances and places of a fact. Aristotle wrote a book of topics. Cicero defines topics to be the art of finding arguments.
3.
Principle of persuasion.
Contumacious persons whom no topics can work upon.
4.
In medicine, an external remedy; a remedy to be applied outwardly to a particular part of the body, as a plaster, a poultice, a blister and the like.

TOP'IC


Definition 2024


topic

topic

See also: topić, tòpic, and topič

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

topic

  1. topical

Noun

topic (plural topics)

  1. Subject; theme; a category or general area of interest.
    • 2013 August 3, The machine of a new soul”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8847:
      The yawning gap in neuroscientists’ understanding of their topic is in the intermediate scale of the brain’s anatomy. Science has a passable knowledge of how individual nerve cells, known as neurons, work. It also knows which visible lobes and ganglia of the brain do what. But how the neurons are organised in these lobes and ganglia remains obscure. Yet this is the level of organisation that does the actual thinking—and is, presumably, the seat of consciousness.
  2. (Internet) Discussion thread.
  3. (obsolete) An argument or reason.
    • Bishop Wilkins
      contumacious persons, who are not to be fixed by any principles, whom no topics can work upon
  4. (obsolete, medicine) An external local application or remedy, such as a plaster, a blister, etc.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Wiseman to this entry?)

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

External links

  • topic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • topic in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Anagrams