Adjacent Words

Topic definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

TOP'IC, n. [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

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the subject matter of a conversation or discussion; "he didn't want to discuss that subject"; "it was a very sensitive topic"; "his letters were always on the theme of love" [syn: subject, topic, theme]
2: some situation or event that is thought about; "he kept drifting off the topic"; "he had been thinking about the subject for several years"; "it is a matter for the police" [syn: topic, subject, issue, matter]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Latin Topica Topics (work by Aristotle), from Greek Topika, from topika, neuter plural of topikos of a place, of a topos, from topos place, topos Date: circa 1569 1. a. one of the general forms of argument employed in probable reasoning b. argument, reason 2. a. a heading in an outlined argument or exposition b. the subject of a discourse or of a section of a discourse

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a theme for a book, discourse, essay, sermon, etc. 2 the subject of a conversation or argument. Etymology: L topica f. Gk (ta) topika topics, as title of a treatise by Aristotle f. topos a place, a commonplace

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Topic Top"ic, n. [F. topiques, pl., L. topica the title of a work of Aristotle, Gr. topika`, fr. topiko`s of or for place, concerning to`poi, or commonplaces, fr. to`pos a place.] (a) One of the various general forms of argument employed in probable as distinguished from demonstrative reasoning, -- denominated by Aristotle to`poi (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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Topic Top"ic, a. Topical. --Drayton. Holland.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(topics) A topic is a particular subject that you discuss or write about. The main topic for discussion is political union... N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Subject, theme, thesis, question, point, matter, subject-matter, matter in hand. 2. Head, division, subdivision. 3. Commonplace (of argument or oratory), general truth, general idea, maxim, dictum, rule, precept, principle, general statement. 4. Scheme, arrangement, method of arrangement, principle of arrangement. 5. (Med.) External local remedy, plaster, blister, poultice, vesicatory, epispastic.

Moby Thesaurus

action, anagnorisis, angle, architectonics, architecture, argument, atmosphere, background, bone of contention, catastrophe, catechism, characterization, color, complication, continuity, contrivance, cross-interrogatory, cross-question, debating point, demand, denouement, design, development, device, episode, fable, falling action, feeler, gimmick, head, incident, inquiry, interrogation, interrogative, interrogatory, issue, keynote, leader, leading question, line, local color, matter, mood, moot point, motif, motive, movement, mythos, peripeteia, plan, plot, point, point at issue, point in question, problem, proposition, query, question, question at issue, question mark, quodlibet, recognition, rising action, scheme, secondary plot, slant, story, structure, subject, subject matter, subplot, switch, text, thematic development, theme, thesis, tone, trial balloon, twist, vexed question