Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

topography

 - 5 dictionary results

to⋅pog⋅ra⋅phy

[tuh-pog-ruh-fee]
–noun, plural -phies.
1. the detailed mapping or charting of the features of a relatively small area, district, or locality.
2. the detailed description, esp. 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 ME topographye < LL topographia < Gk 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To topography
to·pog·ra·phy   (tə-pŏg'rə-fē)   
n.   pl. to·pog·ra·phies
  1. Detailed, precise description of a place or region.

  2. Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map, indicating their relative positions and elevations.

  3. A description or an analysis of a structured entity, showing the relations among its components: In the topography of the economy, several depressed areas are revealed.

    1. The surface features of a place or region.

    2. The surface features of an object: The topography of a crystal.

  4. The surveying of the features of a place or region.

  5. The study or description of an anatomical region or part.

top'o·graph' (tŏp'ə-grāf') n., top'o·graph'ic (-grāf'ĭk), top'o·graph'i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj., top'o·graph'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

topography 
1432, 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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: to·pog·ra·phy
Pronunciation: t&-'päg-r&-fE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -phies
1 : the physical or natural features of an object or entity and their structural relationships topography of the abdomen> topographies with respect to their membrane —William Wickner> topography (size and fluorescent staining intensity) of human chromosomes —Science News>
2 : REGIONAL ANATOMY
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
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
Search another word or see topography on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: