Topical

//ˈtɑ.pɪ.kəl// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Relating to a particular topic or subject.

    "The book is divided into topical chapters."

  2. 2
    Relating to a topic or subject of current interest.

    "Fair trade has become quite a topical issue."

  3. 3
    Local to a particular place.
  4. 4
    Applied to a localized part of the body. not-comparable
  5. 5
    Applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye). not-comparable

    "Terbinafine is available in 250 mg tablets and in a topical 1% ointment. There is no parenteral form available."

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    Arranged according to topic or theme; thematic.
Adjective
  1. 1
    of interest at the present time wordnet
  2. 2
    pertaining to the surface of a body part wordnet
  3. 3
    of or relating to or arranged by topics wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A substance, especially a medication, applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).

    "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."

  2. 2
    A substance, especially a medication, applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).; A topical anaesthetic.
  3. 3
    A joke dealing with current events or topical subjects.

    "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."

  4. 4
    A postage stamp depicting a particular theme or subject (such as birds or trains), potentially sought out by topical stamp collectors.

    "beautiful Pictorials, topicals, commemoratives, airmails. Introductory selection 40% discount. Ralph Rice, 15 Longlane, West Hartford 7, Conn."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From topic + -al.

Etymology 2

From topic + -al.

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