toph, tophus

[Lat. tophus, tofus =tufa or tuff, a species of volcanic rock of an earthy texture.] 1. Min.: The same as TUFF (q. v.). "In the construction of this vault, the principle of using freestone for the ribs, and toph for the panels, has not been followed." - Archæologia , xvii. 80. 2. Surg .: A soft tumor on a bone; also a concretion in the joints. ( Dunglison .) to-phā-çě-oŭs (or ceo us as shŭs), a . [TOPH.] Pertaining to a toph or tophus; gritty, sandy. chalky matter, but not a clear substance."- Arbuthnot : On Aliments , ch. iv. "Acids mixed with them precipitate a tophaceous Tō-phět, Tō-phěth, s. [Heb. Topheth . Various etymologies have been given. It was long supposed to have been derived from toph =a drum, a timbrel, a tambourine, which was said to have been beaten to drown the cries of children burnt in the fire to Moloch (q. v.). Gesenius considers tophet to be a spittle, that which is vomited, from tuph = an obsolete Aramean verb=to spit, and believes the allusion to be to the disgust excited by the place.] topograph ist 2. Med .: An external remedy; a remedy for local application to a particular part of the body; as, a plaster, a poultice, a blister, . "In the cure of strumæ, the to picks ought to be discutient."-Wiseman: Surgery. B. As adjective: *I. Ordinary Language: 1. Pertaining or belonging to a particular place or locality; local. "All ye topic gods, that do inhabit here."