A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Topic(k, Toopick, n. and adj. [e.m.E. topicke (a1568), topic (1621), L. topica, f. the Gk.] noun. a. An external medicine applied topically. b. (A) consideration or argument; ? the subject of discourse. c. adj. Commonplace. —a. 1587 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 489.
The said Archbald had contravenit the said act … in … applying … toopickis and vtheris emplasteres necessar for curing of the said vlcer —b. 1690 Representation of Presbyterian Government (1690) 7.
Neither hath the world yet seen any topick (except calumnies) whereby this could be pretended to be proved 1693 Just and Modest Reproof (1693) 4.
If these topicks may have place … seldom hath a book appeared in print, stuffed with more falsehoods and calumnies 1701 Fugitive Poetry II xlv 4/95.
So, after many curious topick, On this syde, and beyond the Tropick —c. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 508.
Our arguments … are often drawn from our skin; the whole skin and a peaceable tabernacle is a topic-maxim in great request in our logic
