topical

Etymology

topic + -al

adj

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. (medicine, not comparable) Applied to a localized part of the body.
5. (medicine, not comparable) Applied 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, page 106
6. Arranged according to topic or theme; thematic.

noun

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. 2012-08-08, Alix Strauss, “Marketing Time in a Bottle Pays Off”, in The New York Times
   "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. 2016-03-30, Kate Branch, “Whoopi Goldberg Wants to Cure Your PMS—With Cannabis”, in Glamour
   1. (pharmacology) A 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. 2017-11-04, Michael Billington, “Ken Dodd at 90: the rib-tickling genius is still crazy after all these years”, in The Guardian
3. (philately) 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. 1956 December, “Classified Advertisements: Stamp collecting”, in Popular Mechanics, volume 106, number 6, page 57