topic
Etymology

From Latin topica, from Ancient Greek τοπικός, from τόπος ("a place"), of qsb-grc origin.

Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /ˈtɒpɪk/
  • (America) IPA: /ˈtɑpɪk/
Adjective

topic

  1. topical
Noun

topic (plural topics)

  1. Subject; theme; a category or general area of interest.
    A society where a topic cannot be discussed, does not have free speech.
    stick to the topic
    an interesting topic of conversation
    romance is a topic that frequently comes up in conversation
  2. (Internet) Discussion thread.
  3. (music) A musical sign intended to suggest a particular style or genre.
    • 2012, Esti Sheinberg, Music Semiotics, page 9:
      In Peircean terms, topics are interpretants: signifieds that become new signifiers in the endless semiotic chain of interpretations.
  4. (obsolete) An argument or reason.
    • 1675, John Wilkins, Of the Principle and Duties of Natural Religion:
      contumacious persons, who are not to be fixed by any principles, whom no topics can work upon
  5. (obsolete, medicine) An external local application or remedy, such as a plaster, a blister, etc.
    • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC ↗:
      Amongst topics or outward medicines none are more precious than baths.
Synonyms
  • (area of interest) subject, subject area
Translations


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