| Topic 1. (n.) 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. 2. (n.) A treatise on forms of argument; a system or scheme of forms or commonplaces of argument or oratory; as, the Topics of Aristotle. 3. (n.) An argument or reason. 4. (n.) 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. 5. (n.) An external local application or remedy, as a plaster, a blister, etc. 6. (a.) Topical. Thesaurus Entries action, anagnorisis, angle, architectonics, architecture, argument, atmosphere, background, bone of contention, catastrophe, catechism, characterization, color, complication, continuity, contrivance, cross-interrogatory, cross-question, debating point, demand, denouement, design, development, device, episode, fable, falling action, feeler, gimmick, head, incident, inquiry, interrogation, interrogative, interrogatory, issue, keynote, leader, leading question, line, local color, matter, mood, moot point, motif, motive, movement, mythos, peripeteia, plan, plot, point, point at issue, point in question, problem, proposition, query, question, question at issue, question mark, quodlibet, recognition, rising action, scheme, secondary plot, slant, story, structure, subject, subject matter, subplot, switch, text, thematic development, theme, thesis, tone, trial balloon, twist, vexed question |