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defining topic
[dɪˈfaɪnɪŋ ˈtɒpɪk]
noun
pl: defining topics
tema definidor
1.
The central or most important topic that characterizes or establishes the nature of a discussion, debate, or subject matter
Climate change has become the defining topic of our generation's political discourse.
A mudança climática tornou-se o tema definidor do discurso político da nossa geração.
2.
In linguistics or grammar, a topic that is identified by a syntactic structure or prosodic feature that distinguishes it from other elements
In the sentence 'As for John, he left early,' John is the defining topic.
Na sentença 'Quanto a João, ele saiu cedo,' João é o tema definidor.
Synonyms
central topic
main subject
key topic
primary subject
Antonyms
secondary topic
minor topic
subsidiary subject
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
tema definidor
Standard usage in Brazilian Portuguese academic and journalistic contexts
São Paulo
assunto central
Sometimes preferred in business and media contexts
Portugal
tema definidor
Standard usage, also 'tema nuclear' in academic circles
Related Idioms & Phrases
the defining moment
what defines a generation
the crux of the matter
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