to·pog·ra·phy

[tuh-pog-ruh-fee]
noun, plural to·pog·ra·phies.
1.
the detailed mapping or charting of the features of a relatively small area, district, or locality.
2.
the detailed description, especially by means of surveying, of particular localities, as cities, towns, or estates.
3.
the relief features or surface configuration of an area.
4.
the features, relations, or configuration of a structural entity.
5.
a schema of a structural entity, as of the mind, a field of study, or society, reflecting a division into distinct areas having a specific relation or a specific position relative to one another.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English topographye < Late Latin topographia < Greek topographía. See topo-, -graphy

top·o·graph·ic [top-uh-graf-ik] , top·o·graph·i·cal, adjective
top·o·graph·i·cal·ly, adverb
non·top·o·graph·i·cal, adjective
un·top·o·graph·i·cal, adjective
un·top·o·graph·i·cal·ly, adverb

topography, typography.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To topographical
00:10
Topographical is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Collins
World English Dictionary
topography (təˈpɒɡrəfɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -phies
1.  the study or detailed description of the surface features of a region
2.  the detailed mapping of the configuration of a region
3.  the land forms or surface configuration of a region
4.  the surveying of a region's surface features
5.  the study or description of the configuration of any object
 
to'pographer
 
n
 
topographic
 
adj
 
topo'graphical
 
adj
 
topo'graphically
 
adv

topography (təˈpɒɡrəfɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -phies
1.  the study or detailed description of the surface features of a region
2.  the detailed mapping of the configuration of a region
3.  the land forms or surface configuration of a region
4.  the surveying of a region's surface features
5.  the study or description of the configuration of any object
 
to'pographer
 
n
 
topographic
 
adj
 
topo'graphical
 
adj
 
topo'graphically
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

topography
early 15c., from L.L. topographia, from Gk. topographia "a description of a place," from topographos "describing a place" (as a noun, "one who is skilled in topography"), from topos "place" + graphein "to write."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

topography to·pog·ra·phy (tə-pŏg'rə-fē)
n.
The description of the regions of the body or of a body part, especially the regions of a definite and limited area of the surface.


top'o·graph'ic (-grāf'ĭk) or top'o·graph'i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
topography   (tə-pŏg'rə-fē)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. The three-dimensional arrangement of physical attributes (such as shape, height, and depth) of a land surface in a place or region. Physical features that make up the topography of an area include mountains, valleys, plains, and bodies of water. Human-made features such as roads, railroads, and landfills are also often considered part of a region's topography.

  2. The detailed description or drawing of the physical features of a place or region, especially in the form of contour maps.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The reservoir provides buoyed boat lanes and you may consider purchasing a
  topographical map.
One study used laser altimetry to create a topographical map of the planet's
  north polar region.
Other attributes: distinctive architectural and topographical features, and a
  sense of engagement on the part of the residents.
He swiftly explained the tactical situation with deft scribbles on the plastic
  overlay covering a large topographical map.
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