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.
Top"ic, a. Topical. Drayton. Holland.
Top"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. topique, LL. topicus, Gr. &?;. See Topic, n.]
1. Of or pertaining to a place; limited; logical application; as, a
topical remedy; a topical claim or privilege.
2. (Rhet. & logic) Pertaining to, or consisting of, a topic or topics;
according to topics.
3. Resembling a topic, or general maxim; hence, not demonstrative, but
merely probable, as an argument.
Evidences of fact can be no more than topical and probable.
Sir M. Hale.
Top"ic*al*ly, adv. In a topical manner; with application to, or
limitation of, a particular place or topic.
Top"knot` (?), n. 1. A crest or knot of feathers upon the head or top,
as of a bird; also, an orgamental knot worn on top of the head, as by
women.
A great, stout servant girl, with cheeks as red as her topknot.
Sir W. Scott.
2. (Zoöl.) A small Europen flounder (Rhoumbus punctatus). The name is
also applied to allied species.
Top"less, a. Having no top, or no visble fop; hence, fig.: very lofty;
supreme; unequaled. " The topless Apennines." "Topless fortunes." Beau.
& Fl.
Top"-light` (?), n. (Naut.) A lantern or light on the top of a vessel.
Top"man (?), n.; pl. Topmem (&?;). 1. See Topsman, 2.