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topical. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
topical, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
topical in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
topical you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From topic + -al.
Pronunciation
Adjective
topical (comparative more topical, superlative most topical)
- Relating to a particular topic or subject.
The book is divided into topical chapters.
- Relating to a topic or subject of current interest.
Fair trade has become quite a topical issue.
- Local to a particular place.
- (medicine, not comparable) Applied to a localized part of the body.
- Antonym: systemic
- (medicine, not comparable) Applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).
2003, Peter G. Pappas, “Terbinafine”, in William E. Dismukes, Peter G. Pappas, Jack D. Sobel, editors, Clinical Mycology, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 106:Terbinafine is available in 250 mg tablets and in a topical 1% ointment. There is no parenteral form available.
- Arranged according to topic or theme; thematic.
Translations
relating to a particular topic or subject
local to a particular place
medicine: applied to a localized part of the body
medicine: applied externally
arranged according to topic or theme
Translations to be checked
See also
Noun
topical (plural topicals)
- A substance, especially a medication, applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).
2012 August 8, Alix Strauss, “Marketing Time in a Bottle Pays Off”, in The New York Times:Small amounts of potent ingredients can, in theory, mean far less skin irritation, as one might get with a one-time high dose of retinol. And with topicals, there is a more uniform delivery of product to the skin’s surface.
2016 March 30, Kate Branch, “Whoopi Goldberg Wants to Cure Your PMS—With Cannabis”, in Glamour:"This is a great introductory line to first-time cannabis users because two of the items are topicals, which don't get you high," says Elisabeth, who prides herself and her growers on having a well-balanced and chemical-free strand.
- (pharmacology) A topical anaesthetic.
- A joke dealing with current events or topical subjects.
2017 November 4, Michael Billington, “Ken Dodd at 90: the rib-tickling genius is still crazy after all these years”, in The Guardian:You can’t do a show at an audience – you have to do a show with an audience and structure the act so that you start with the “hello” gags, then the topicals, then the surreal stuff.
- (philately) A postage stamp depicting a particular theme or subject (such as birds or trains), potentially sought out by topical stamp collectors.
1956 December, “Classified Advertisements: Stamp collecting”, in Popular Mechanics, volume 106, number 6, page 57:beautiful Pictorials, topicals, commemoratives, airmails. Introductory selection 40% discount. Ralph Rice, 15 Longlane, West Hartford 7, Conn.
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