topos

[ toh-pohs, ‐pos ]

/ ˈtoʊ poʊs, ‐pɒs /

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noun, plural to·poi

[toh-poi]. /ˈtoʊ pɔɪ/.

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

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Origin of topos

First recorded in 1935–40; from Greek (koinós) tópos “(common) place”; see topic

Words nearby topos

topological transformation, topology, Topolski, toponym, toponymy, topos, topotype, top out, topper, toppie, topping

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use topos in a sentence

And p. 48 epeid per ho ts lichanou topos eis apeirous temnetai tomas.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
Everything outside this golden region is studded with stars to signify an epoyranios topos or heaven of heavens.
Renaissance in Italy Vol. 3|John Addington Symonds

British Dictionary definitions for topos

topos

/ (ˈtɒpɒs) /

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