E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Top’ic.
This word has wholly changed its original meaning. It now signifies a subject for talk, a theme for discussion or to be written about; but originally “topics” were what we call commonplace books; the “sentences” of Peter Lombard were theological topics. (Greek, topikos, from topos, a place.)
