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