(1) Designed for local application to or treatment of a bodily part. (2) Referring to the topics of the day.

Like a topical medicine, a topical reference or story applies to something specific, focusing on a *topic* that's currently in the news. TV comedians often use topical humor, making jokes about a currently popular movie or the latest political scandal—if possible, one that just broke that same day. Topical humor has a short lifespan, though, because the news keeps changing and the new hot topics just keep coming. The medical meaning of *topical* stays closer to the meaning of the root, since it describes something that's put right on the place that seems to need it.

Occurring or originating in an abnormal place.

*Ectopic* is a medical word that means basically “out of place.” An ectopic kidney is located in an abnormal position. In patients with an ectopic heartbeat, the electrical signals that trigger the heart muscles originate in an abnormal area of the heart. But *ectopic* most commonly describes a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg begins to develop in an area outside the uterus, such as in a fallopian tube; such pregnancies may lead to serious problems if not treated.

Relating to an imaginary place in which the government, laws, and social conditions are perfect.

In 1516 Thomas More published *Utopia*, a description of a fictional island in the Atlantic with an ideal society, in order to draw a sharp contrast with the disorderly political situation of his own time. He created the name from *topos* (“place”) and *ou*, Greek for “no,” since he was well aware that nowhere so perfect was likely to exist on earth. People have long dreamed of creating utopian communities; some of them have joined communes, societies where other idealists like themselves have chosen to live in a cooperative way according to certain principles. Not just communes but plans of all kinds have been labeled utopian by critics. But we can dream, can't we?

(1) The art of showing the natural and man- made features of a region on a map or chart. (2) The features of a surface, including both natural and man-made features.

*Topography* combines *top-* with *graph-,* a root meaning “write” or “describe.” The topography of the Sahara Desert features shifting sand dunes and dry, rocky mountains. A *topographic* (or *topo*) map not only shows the surface features of a region but also indicates the contours and approximate altitude of every location, by means of numerous curving lines, each indicating a single elevation. In other words, it shows a “three-dimensional” picture on a two-dimensional surface. Topo maps are commonly used by hikers, surveyors, government workers, and engineers, among other people.

(1) Not following an established or usual style or conduct. (2) Straying from a circular path; off-center.

An eccentric wheel spins unevenly, and an eccentric person is similarly a little off-center. Most *eccentricities* are inoffensive to others, and some may even do some good. For instance, riding a bicycle to work might be considered eccentric by some people, but it's good exercise and it cuts down on pollution. Some *eccentrics* are just ahead of their time.

(1) The location on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake. (2) The center or focus of activity.

The meaning of *epi-* in *epicenter* is “over,” so the epicenter of an earthquake lies over the center or “focus” of the quake. *Epicenter* can also refer to the centers of things that may seem in their own way as powerful—though not as destructive—as earthquakes. Wall Street, for example, might be said to lie at the epicenter of the financial world.

Overly concerned with oneself; self-centered.

*Ego* means “I” in Latin. To an egocentric person, *I* is the most important word in the language. Great artists and writers are often *egocentrics;* such people can be hard to live with, though their *egocentricity,* an unfortunate side effect of their talent, is often forgiven. But ordinary egocentricity, which shows up as selfishness, lack of sympathy, and lack of interest in other people, usually has little to do with any personal talent or success.

Marked by or based on the attitude that one's own group is superior to others.

The Greek word *ethnos* means “nation” or “people.” So *ethnocentricity* shows itself in a lack of respect for other ways of life, and an ethnocentric person feels that his or her own nation or group is the cultural center of the world. *Ethnocentric* describes the kind of person who behaves badly when traveling in foreign countries, often called an “Ugly American” (from a book and movie of the same name). Whenever you hear someone making fun of the way a foreigner speaks English, just remember that it's the foreigner, not the person laughing at him, who actually can speak a foreign language.