allograph

American  

[al-uh-graf, -grahf] / ˈæl əˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf /

noun

1. Linguistics. a variant form of a grapheme that is in complementary distribution or free variation with another form of the same grapheme, as t and T or n in run and nn in runner; an orthographic contextual variant.

2. writing or a signature inscribed by one person for another, as distinguished from autograph.

3. a deed or other legal document not in the writing of any of the persons who are party to it.

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allograph British  

/ ˌæləˈɡræfɪk, ˈæləˌɡrɑːf /

noun

1. a document written by a person who is not a party to it

2. a signature made by one person on behalf of another Compare autograph

3. linguistics any of the written symbols that constitute a single grapheme

   m and M are allographs in the Roman alphabet

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Other Word Forms

• allographic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of allograph

1950–55; allo- + -graph, on the model of allophone