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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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