a. and sb. Also 6 topicke, (toopick), 7 topike, -ique, -y, 7–8 -ick. [As adj., ad. Gr. τοπικ-ός of or pertaining to τοπ-ός a place (see -IC); local, or concerning τόποι commonplaces. As sb., ad. L. topica, a. Gr. τοπικά adj. neuter pl., in τὰ τοπικά, title of a work of Aristotle, lit. matters concerning τόποι commonplaces.
The use of τοπός ‘place’ for a class of considerations which would serve as a ‘place’ in which a rhetorician might look for suggestions in treating his theme, goes back to Isocrates. By Aristotle τοπός was especially appropriated to classes of considerations of a general character, common to many kinds of subjects, the use of which was open to any one dealing with his subject as a rhetorician or dialectician, not with special knowledge with a view to scientific demonstration. Such were more fully described as κοινοὶ τόποι, loci communes, COMMONPLACES. Aristotle’s treatise on probable (as distinguished from demonstrative) reasoning, which started from such general considerations and dispensed with special knowledge, was referred to as τὰ τοπικά; and such general considerations and arguments based thereon as were treated of in that work were called topic axioms, rules, or maxims, topic arguments, or simply topics; sometimes with less, sometimes with more emphasis on the general character of such arguments. (C. C. J. Webb.)]
A. adj.
I. † 1. Pertaining to or of the nature of a ‘commonplace’ (COMMONPLACE A. 1) or general maxim. Rule topic, a general rule, which may fail to apply in a particular case, so that its application is only probable and not certain: see above. Obs.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 117 b. You fayle in the rule Topicke: whereby we are taught to apply true proper Causes, to true effectes. And therefore your consequent is faultie.
1589. Marprel. Epit. (1843), 18. I marveile upon what topike place this reason is grounded.
1627. Wren, Serm. bef. King, 17 Feb., 26. That’s the first, and it is a Topick rule that; particularly applied by him upon this ground, because of the generall Image of God, which is upon a mans brother.
1645. Howell, Twelve Treat. (1661), 360. The Topique Axiome tells us, that Dolus versatur in universalibus, there is double dealing in universals.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith, xxi. 231. Uncertain and topick arguments to conclude a God-head and a golden heaven in the creature.
1650. Vind. Dr. Hammond’s Addr., § 58. 23. Would it not be a strange reply, to say, That this consequence depended on the Authority of a Topick Maxime? The word (Topicke) I suppose to be here prefixt by him upon a designe of diminution, as Topicall is equivalent with probable, and oppos’d to demonstrative.
1653. R. Baillie, Dissuas. Vind. (1655), 3. Such aerious and Topick arguments can give no strength to a cause.
† b. Containing ‘commonplaces’; topic folio, a commonplace-book. Obs.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 64. To finish his circuit in an English concordance and a topic folio, the gatherings and savings of a sober graduatship, a Harmony and a Catena.
II. † 2. Of or pertaining to a particular place or locality; local. Obs.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 691. These Locall or Topick Gods doe never passe unto other Countries.
1683. E. Hooker, Pref. Pordage’s Mystic Div., 79. That Topic Proverb among the Spaniards, There are two Magicians in Segura, the one Experience, the other Wisdom.
1793. Hely, trans. O’Flaherty’s Ogygia, II. 195. Solemn conventions … to appease the topic deities.
† b. Med. Of or pertaining to a particular part of the body; designed for external local application.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXIX. vi. II. 364. The places ought before the application of those topicke medicines, to be well prepared with the razour.
1671. Salmon, Syn. Med., III. xxvii. 474. Linimentum is a fat topick Medicine.
B. sb.
I. Representing Gr. τοπικά. (See note in etymol.)
1. pl. As title of the treatise of Aristotle, or as name for a work of the same nature, or for a set of general rules or maxims.
a. 1568. Ascham, Scholem., II. (Arb.), 131. Aristotle … when he had written that goodlie booke of the Topickes, did gather out of stories and Orators, so many examples as filled xv. bookes, onelie to expresse the rules of his Topickes.
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, D iv. Had I my topickes by me in stead of my learned counsell to assist me, I might haps marshall my termes in better aray.
1603. Holland, Plutarch, Explan. Words, Topicks, That part of logicke which treateth of the invention of arguments, which are called Topi, as if they were places, out of which a man might redily have sufficient reasons to argue and dispute with Pro & contra.
1783. Blair, Lect., xxxii. II. 180. 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 order to find out materials for his Speech.
fig. 1644. Bulwer, Chiron., 9. For the Hands are those common places and Topiques of nature.
† 2. A kind or class of considerations suitable to the purpose of a rhetorician or disputant: passing into the sense ‘consideration,’ ‘argument.’ Obs.
1634. Jackson, Creed, XI. xxvii. § 4. A new topic or frame of arguments which they draw from this.
1652. Heylin, Cosmogr., II. 137. Acts of violence and Force … justified onely by the false Topick of successe.
1662. Boyle, Seraph. Love (ed. 4), Refl. on Let., 170. When we have employed the loftiest hyperboles, and exhausted all the celebrating Topicks and Figures of Rhetorick.
1669–96. Aubrey, Brief Lives (1898), I. 170. Judge Richardson harangued against him long, and like an orator, had topiques from the Druides, etc.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., vi. 179. This first Topic was very fitly made use of by our Apostle.
1719. W. Wood, Surv. Trade, 96. The most general Topick made use of by the Advocates for it, was, That by prohibiting the French Trade, we only hurt our selves.
1756. Hume, Hist. Eng., II. xxi. 29. These strong topics, in favour of the house of Lancaster, were opposed by arguments no less convincing on the side of the house of York.
1825. Scott, Betrothed, xxviii. Interrupting those tears to suggest topics of hope and comfort, which carried no consolation to her own bosom.
1840. J. H. Newman, Par. Serm. (1842), V. xxiii. 351. How cold and dreary do all such topics prove, when a man comes into trouble?
† b. A head under which arguments or subjects may be arranged. (This passes imperceptibly into 3.) Obs.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Linc. (1662), II. 150. What remaineth concerning Mastiffes is referred to the same Topick in Somerset-shire.
a. 1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., II. i. 131. These are the Heads of those Evidences of Fact which I shall use in this Argument…, whereunto possibly other occasional Topicks of the like nature may be added.
1705. Addison, Italy, Pref. There are still several of these Topicks that are far from being exhausted.
a. 1806. Horsley, Serm. (1811), 375. It is a new kind of argument against the truth of a proposition … that it hath been asserted and maintained by wise and good and learned men…. This is a new way of managing the topic of authorities.
3. The subject of a discourse, argument, or literary composition; a matter treated in speech or writing; a theme; also, a subject of admiration, animadversion, satire, mockery, or other treatment.
1720. Swift, Intelligencer, No. 3, Wks. 1761, III. 363. It is allowed that Corruptions in religion, politics, and law, may be proper topics for this kind of satire.
a. 1768. Secker, Serm. (1771), VII. xvi. 364. We are much to blame, that we banish religious Topics from our Discourse.
1770. Junius Lett., xxxvi. (1820), 172. The sovereign should not … make them a topic of jest and mockery.
1797. Mrs. Radcliffe, Italian, i. He had exhausted every topic of conversation.
1874. Green, Short Hist., vi. § 4. 308. The New Testament of Erasmus became the topic of the day.
II. † 4. Med. An external remedy locally applied, as a plaster or blister. Obs.
1587. Burgh Rec. Edin., 12 April (1882), IV. 489. Ane vlcer … applying thairto toopickis and vtheris emplasteres.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. v. III. i. Amongst topics or outward medicines none are more precious than baths.
1668. Culpepper & Cole, Barthol. Anat., man. III. i. 323. To which part of the Back-bone Topicks are to be applied.
1758. J. S., Le Dran’s Observ. Surg. (1771), 241. Phlebotomy, and emollient Topicks, are our principal Resources.
† 5. App. used as = Gr. τότος ‘place.’ Obs.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, IV. iii. 60. Their Cities being one of David’s Topicks or place where he haunted.
