orthography - definition of orthography - synonyms, pronunciation, spelling from Free Dictionary

Open English WordNet

Noun (1)

a method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbolsSynonyms: writing systemType of writingKinds spelling, hieroglyph, picture writing, script, boustrophedon, alphabetic writing, point system, ideographyExamples Linear AParts punctuation, word divisionMembers punctuation, hyphenation

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Or·thog′ra·phy noun

Origin: OE. ortographie, OF. orthographie, L. orthographia, Gr. …, fr. … writing correctly; ὀρθός right + γράφειν to write. See Ortho-, and Graphic.

1. The art or practice of writing words with the proper letters, according to standard usage; conventionally correct spelling; also, mode of spelling; as, his orthography is vicious.

When spelling no longer follows the pronunciation, but is hardened into orthography.— Earle, John

2. The part of grammar which treats of the letters, and of the art of spelling words correctly.

3. A drawing in correct projection, especially an elevation or a vertical section.

4. The method of spelling the words of a particular language; the system of symbols used for writing a language.

5. The branch of linguistics concerned with how languages are written.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: GCIDE editors

The Devil's Dictionary

ORTHOGRAPHY, n. The science of spelling by the eye instead of the ear. Advocated with more heat than light by the outmates of every asylum for the insane. They have had to concede a few things since the time of Chaucer, but are none the less hot in defence of those to be conceded hereafter.

A spelling reformer indicted For fudge was before the court cicted. The judge said: "Enough -- His candle we'll snough, And his sepulchre shall not be whicted."