TOPIC • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Topic

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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.

See images of 'Topic'

Etymology of 'Topic'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Topic" Quotes from Famous Books

... way of commencing a lecture is to tell a short story . . . about the chairman if possible. But you must be careful. Keep off the topic of the chairman's marital affairs; he may have lodged a divorce petition ...

— A Dominie in Doubt • A. S. Neill

... glory which would be shed upon it by such an intellectual invention as the foregoing. Though it has undoubtedly never been adverted to in any way, since she so asserts the fact, by any of the "many men of genius" who have exercised their minds upon the topic of the unities, yet by a singular chance we have fallen upon something very much like it in the petty effusions of two or three subordinate scribblers, who have presumed to hint at what was not excogitated by their betters. ...

— The American Quarterly Review, No. 17, March 1831 • Various

... transferred the information to the captain, and presently the steward came and beckoned me to follow him down to his cabin, remarking that nobody would see me. I saw the captain, and told him what I knew of the matter. The robbery continued to be the sole topic of talk the rest of the journey. Clearing the coast of Fife, we soon came in sight of Edinburgh, and, sailing up the Forth, we finally landed at Leith. It was Sunday afternoon, and there were large numbers of people about to watch us land. The majority of the people ran for the first pier, but ...

— Adventures and Recollections • Bill o'th' Hoylus End

... isn't it?" said Lord Henry at last, when he found that the topic of the Tribes also ...

— Too Old for Dolls - A Novel • Anthony Mario Ludovici

... of that day either in walking about the park with the nurse and children or in sitting in her own room. For a long while past she had avoided the General and had scarcely had a word to say to him (scarcely a word, I mean, on any SERIOUS topic). Yes, that I had noticed. Still, even though I was aware of the position in which the General was placed, it had never occurred to me that he would have any reason to avoid HER, or to trouble her with ...

— The Gambler • Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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