topic
Pluraltopics
- 1
- 2A set of messages about one subject on a website or forum.
Like one conversation in a big room full of conversations.
I started a new topic about my favorite video games.
The topic had over a hundred replies by morning.
Similarthread
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- 3In computer systems, a channel that sends each message to many listeners at once.
Like a radio station: one broadcast, and everyone tuned in hears it.
The app sends updates to a topic, and every phone gets them.
Developers created a topic so all the services could listen in.
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- 4In music, a short pattern that makes listeners think of a certain style.
Like a sound that reminds you of something, the way sleigh bells make you think of winter.
The composer used a marching topic to make the piece feel military.
A gentle dance topic gave the music a country feel.
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Less common meanings
- 5A reason or argument used to prove something is true.
contumacious persons, who are not to be fixed by any principles, whom no topics can work upon
1675, John Wilkins, Of the Principle and Duties of Natural ReligionHere, topics means arguments or reasons meant to persuade.Note
- 6A medicine put on the outside of the body, such as a skin plaster.
Like a bandage with medicine that you put on your skin.
The doctor laid a warm topic over the swollen knee.
Amongst topics or outward medicines none are more precious than baths.
1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of MelancholyHere, topics means medicines put on the outside of the body.Note
Practice
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Origin
From Greek 'tópos', meaning 'a place'. It came into English through Latin.