topical

comparative more topical · superlative most topical

1. Relating to a particular topic or subject.

   The book is divided into topical chapters.

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

   Fair trade has become quite a topical issue.

3. Local to a particular place.
4. not comparablemedicineApplied to a localized part of the body.

   Antonyms: systemic

5. not comparablemedicineApplied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).

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

   2003, Peter G. Pappas, “Terbinafine”, in William E. Dismukes, Peter G. Pappas, Jack D. Sobel, editors, Clinical Mycology, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 106

6. Arranged according to topic or theme; thematic.

plural topicals

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.

   2012 August 8, Alix Strauss, “Marketing Time in a Bottle Pays Off”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   "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.

   2016 March 30, Kate Branch, “Whoopi Goldberg Wants to Cure Your PMS—With Cannabis”, in Glamour

   1. medicineA topical anaesthetic.
2. 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.

   2017 November 4, Michael Billington, “Ken Dodd at 90: the rib-tickling genius is still crazy after all these years”, in The Guardian

3. hobbiesA 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.

   1956 December, “Classified Advertisements: Stamp collecting”, in Popular Mechanics, volume 106, number 6, page 57