orthography

[ awr-thog-ruh-fee ]

/ ɔrˈθɒg rə fi /

noun, plural or·thog·ra·phies for 3–5.

the art of writing words with the proper letters, according to accepted usage; correct spelling.

the part of language study concerned with letters and spelling.

a method of spelling, as by the use of an alphabet or other system of symbols; spelling.

a system of such symbols: Missionaries provided the first orthography for the language.

an orthographic projection, or an elevation drawn by means of it.

Origin of orthography

1425–75; late Middle English ortografye < Latin orthographia correct writing, orthogonal projection < Greek orthographía. See ortho-, -graphy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for orthography

Orthograph′ic, -al, pertaining or according to orthography: spelt correctly.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
In these charters the peculiar characteristics of Italian orthography and grammar frequently appear.
View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Henry Hallam
Many objected to the want of quotations, and to the observance of an orthography that had become obsolete.
Introduction to the Literature of Europe in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Centuries, Vol. 2|Henry Hallam
In the Middle Ages, and even as late as the end of the eighteenth century, the orthography of proper names was very uncertain.
The Criminal Prosecution and Capital Punishment of Animals|Edmund P. Evans

It was written in the old Ellis system of orthography, which is not generally understood.
My Attainment of the Pole|Frederick A. Cook

British Dictionary definitions for orthography

orthography

/ (ɔːˈθɒɡrəfɪ) /

noun plural -phies

a writing system

spelling considered to be correct
the principles underlying spelling

the study of spelling

orthographic projection

Derived Formsorthographer or orthographist, noun

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

Word Origin and History for orthography

orthography

"correct or proper spelling," mid-15c., ortographie, from Middle French orthographie (Old French ortografie, 13c.), from Latin orthographia, from Greek orthographia "correct writing," from orthos "correct" (see ortho-) + root of graphein "to write" (see -graphy). Related: Orthographer.

orthography

noun, plural or·thog·ra·phies for 3–5.

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Nearby words

Origin of orthography

Examples from the Web for orthography

British Dictionary definitions for orthography

orthography

noun plural -phies

Word Origin and History for orthography

orthography