topos

[toh-pohs, ‐pos]

noun, plural to·poi

[toh-poi] /ˈtoʊ pɔɪ/.

a convention or motif, especially in a literary work; a rhetorical convention.

Origin of topos

First recorded in 1935–40, topos is from the Greek word (koinós) tópos ‘(common) place’

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for topoi

Historical Examples of topoi

Again, under the seventh head, that of melopoiia or composition, he treats of the 'regions of the voice' (topoi ts phns).
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music
David Binning Monro
The text of this passage is uncertain; but the general character of the topoi or regions of the voice is clearly enough indicated.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music
David Binning Monro

British Dictionary definitions for topoi

topos

noun plural -oi (-ɔɪ)

a basic theme or concept, esp a stock topic in rhetoric

Word Origin for topos

C20: Greek, literally: place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for topoi

topos

1948, from Greek topos, literally "place."