-graphy | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

-graphy

word-forming element meaning "process of writing or recording" or "a writing, recording, or description" (in modern use especially in forming names of descriptive sciences), from French or German -graphie, from Greek -graphia "description of," used in abstract nouns from graphein "write, express by written characters," earlier "to draw, represent by lines drawn," originally "to scrape, scratch" (on clay tablets with a stylus), from PIE root *gerbh- "to scratch, carve" (see carve).

ultrasonography (n.)

1960, from ultrasonic + -graphy.

lexicography (n.)

"the writing of dictionaries," 1670s, from lexico- + -graphy. Related: Lexicographic; lexicographical.

bromatography (n.)

"a description of foods," 1844, from combining form of Greek brōma "food" + -graphy "a writing, recording, or description."

discography (n.)

"catalogue of recordings by a composer or performer," 1933; see disc + -graphy.

thermography (n.)

1840, "method of writing which requires heat to develop the characters," from thermo- + -graphy.

tomography (n.)

1935, from Greek tomos "slice, section" (see tome) + -graphy.

craniography (n.)

"a description of skulls," 1855; see cranio- + -graphy. Related: Craniographer; craniographic.

mammography (n.)

"examination of the breast by means of X-rays," by 1937, from mammo- "breast" + -graphy.

zoography (n.)

1590s, from zoo- "animal" + -graphy. Related: Zoographer; zoographic.

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