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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

top·ic       (tŏp'ĭk)  Pronunciation Key  n.   The subject of a speech, essay, thesis, or discourse. A subject of discussion or conversation. A subdivision of a theme, thesis, or outline. See Synonyms at subject. Linguistics A word or phrase in a sentence, usually providing information from previous discourse or shared knowledge, that the rest of the sentence elaborates or comments on. Also called theme. [Obsolete topic, rhetorical argument, sing. of Topics, title of a work by Aristotle, from Latin Topica, from Greek Topika, commonplaces, from neuter pl. of topikos, of a place, from topos, place.]

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topic 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

topic
noun
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]
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"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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 Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Topic

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