The word "Topical" refers to something relevant or related to a particular subject that is currently being discussed or considered by people. This word is spelled as /ˈtɒp.ɪ.kəl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable of the word is pronounced as "top" with a short 'o' sound. The second syllable is pronounced as "i" with a short 'i' sound, followed by "cal" with a 'k' sound. Proper spelling of this word is essential to convey the intended meaning effectively.
Topical is an adjective that is typically used to describe something that is relevant or related to a particular subject or topic. It refers to something that is currently being discussed, debated, or considered of importance in a given context. It denotes the nature of being appropriate or suitable within a particular situation or time frame, particularly when referring to information, issues, or subjects of interest.
In the realm of the media and journalism, something that is topical is currently or recently of public interest and importance. This could include news developments, events, or trends that are being widely discussed or have a significant impact on society. Topical subjects often reflect the contemporary interests and concerns of a given audience or community.
When discussing topicality in the field of medicine or pharmacy, it refers to medications or treatments that are applied directly to the skin, onto a localized area of the body, or to a specific affected organ or region. These topical treatments are designed to address specific conditions or ailments that can be treated externally, such as skin infections, rashes, or irritations.
Overall, the term topical is used to signify relevance or appropriateness within a specific context, whether it pertains to a subject of discussion, a news item, or a medical treatment.
Relating to a definite place or locality, local.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Pert. to a topic; in med., pert. to an external local remedy, as a poultice, a blister, and the like.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "topical" originates from the late Latin term "topicus" and the Greek word "topikos". Both of these terms stem from the Greek word "topos", meaning "place" or "topic". In Ancient Greek, "topos" referred to a generalized theme or subject matter, while "topikos" signified something relating to a particular place or region. The word "topical" eventually evolved in English to describe something relevant or pertinent to a specific subject or matter.