grapho-, graph-, -graph, -graphy, -grapher, -graphia

(Greek: to scratch; to write, to record, to draw, to describe; that which is written or described)

As indicated at the bottom of this page, there is a significantly large number of graphic word-entry groups in this unit. Such an extensive listing is provided to show how important the grapho- element is to the English language.

geographical unit, geographic unit (s) (noun); geographical units; geographic units (pl)
An area based primarily on hydrologic boundaries adjusted as needed using a specified set of criteria to accommodate the inventory and analysis of natural resources: A geographic unit can vary in scale depending on the criteria used, the level of inventory and analysis needed, and the problems perceived. In all cases, geographic units incorporate both groundwater and surface water.

geographically (adverb) (not comparable)
Characterized by how something is topographically located: Jane wanted to know if the park was geographically close to the hotel where she was staying.

The scientific study of the surface of the Earth includes the topographical features of geographically important regions of the Earth.

geography (s) (noun), geographies (pl)
1. The study of the natural features of the Earth's surface: Geography comprises topography, climate, soil, vegetation, etc. and man's responses to them.
2. The physical features of a region, area, or place: Geography usually refers to surface features like rivers and mountains.
3. The science that deals with the description of land, sea, and air and the distribution of plant and animal life, including humans: Mr. Smart gave his students the assignment of reading about the geography of their region in their textbooks.
4. The scientific study of the Earth, including its composition, structure, physical properties, and history: Since Jack was very interested in geography, he decided to study it and learn all about the historical aspects and formation of the Earth.

Geology is commonly divided into subdisciplines concerned with the chemical makeup of the Earth, including:

  • The study of minerals (mineralogy) and rocks (petrology).
  • The structure of the Earth (structural geology) and volcanic phenomena (volcanology).
  • Landforms and the processes that produce them (geomorphology and glaciology).
  • The geologic history, including the study of fossils (paleontology).
  • The development of sedimentary strata (stratigraphy).
  • The evolution of planetary bodies and their satellites (astrogeology).
  • Economic geology and its various branches; such as, mining geology and petroleum geology.
  • Also, some major fields closely allied to geology are geodesy, geophysics, and geochemistry.
geography of energy (s) (noun) (no pl)
The study of energy development, transportation, markets: The students were asked to name the different kinds of energy and find out the use of energy patterns from a geographical perspective for their report on the geography of energy.
geolith; rock-stratigraphic unit; lithologic unit; lithostratic unit; lithostratigraphic unit; rock unit
A lithologically (rocky) homogeneous body of strata characterized by certain observable physical features, or by the dominance of a certain rock type or combination of rock types.

Rock-stratigraphic units include groups, formations, members, and beds.

geological oceanography (s) (noun) (no pl)
The study of the features of the floors and margins of the oceans; marine geology; submarine geology: Geological oceanography encompasses descriptions of topography, composition of bottom matter, mutual action of sediments and rocks with air and sea water, the results of motion in the mantle on the sea floor, and activity of wave energy in the submarine crust of the Earth.
geomagnetic electrokinetograph (s) (noun), geomagnetic electrokinetographs (pl)
An instrument that can be suspended from the side of a moving ship to measure and to calculate the direction and speed of ocean currents: A geomagnetic electrokinetograph is used while the ship is underway by measuring the voltage produced by the Earth's magnetic field in the moving conductive seawater.
glossograph (s) (noun), glossographs )pl)
An instrument or device for recording the tongue's movements during speech.
glossographer (s) (noun), glossographers (pl)
1. Someone who compiles glosses or glossaries.
2. A writer of a glossary; a commentator.
glossography (s) (noun), glossographies (pl)
1. The writing of glosses or commentaries; the compiling of glossaries.
2. A written description of the tongue. A description or grouping of languages.
3. An instrument for recording the movements of the tongue when speaking.
glossograpical (adjective), more glossograpical, most glossograpical
1. A reference to the writing of glossaries, glosses, or comments for illustrating an author.
2. Descriptive of the compilation of glosses or glossaries.
glottograph
An instrument for recording the activity of the vocal cords during phonation and respiration.

It consists of a pair of electrodes, one for application to either side of the neck adjacent to the larynx, a generator, amplifier, and oscilloscope.

glottography
The recording, using an electrolaryngograph, of the activity of the vocal cords from potentials arising in the laryngeal muscles during phonation and respiration.
glyphograph
A plate made by glyphography, or an impression taken from such a plate.
glyphographic

Related "writing" word units: glypto-; gram-; scrib-, script-.