topical (adj.)

1580s, "pertaining to a place;" see topic + -al (1). Medical sense "applied to a particular part of the body" is from c. 1600. Meaning "of or pertaining to topics of the day" is from 1873. Related: Topically.

Entries linking to topical

topic (n.)

1630s, "a class of considerations from which probable arguments can be drawn," singular form of "Topics" (1560s), the name of a work by Aristotle on logical and rhetorical generalities, from Latin Topica, from Greek Ta Topika, literally "matters concerning topoi," "commonplaces," neuter plural of noun use of topikos "pertaining to a common place, of a place, local," from topos "place" (see topos). The meaning "matter treated in speech or writing, subject, theme" is first recorded 1720.

-al (1)

suffix forming adjectives from nouns or other adjectives, "of, like, related to, pertaining to," Middle English -al, -el, from French or directly from Latin -alis (see -al (2)).

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Definitions of topical

topical (adj.)

pertaining to the surface of a body part;

a drug for topical (or local) application

a topical anesthesia

topical (adj.)

of or relating to or arranged by topics;

a detailed record on both a chronological and a topical basis

topical (adj.)

of interest at the present time;

a topical and timely study of civil liberty

a topical reference

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near topical

top-hat

top-heavy

Tophet

topiary

topic

topical

topknot

topless

top-notch

topography

topology