orthography

C2 Topic:Language & Linguistics

US /ɔɹˈθɑɡɹəfi/ UK /ɔːˈθɒɡɹəfi/ See IPA manual

Freq #198287

Meanings

1

noun
the conventional spelling and writing system of a language

English orthography preserves many letters that are no longer pronounced.
2

noun
the study of spelling and the conventions used in written language

The course compares the orthography of several Germanic languages.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the conventional spelling... writing systemspelling system

2 noun · the study of spelling and... spellingwriting conventions

Word family

Forms orthographical

Derived forms orthographerorthographicorthographicalorthographically

Related forms orthographspellinggrapheme

Etymology

Through Middle English and French from Latin orthographia, from Greek orthographia, 'correct writing,' built from orthos, 'correct or straight,' + graphein, 'write.' Its scope now includes a language's accepted spelling and broader writing conventions.

Topics

Language & Linguistics Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# orthography

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ɔɹˈθɑɡɹəfi/
**IPA (UK):** /ɔːˈθɒɡɹəfi/
**Frequency rank:** 198287

## Meanings
1. the conventional spelling and writing system of a language
2. the study of spelling and the conventions used in written language

## Examples
- English orthography preserves many letters that are no longer pronounced.
- The course compares the orthography of several Germanic languages.

## Synonyms
- writing system
- spelling system
- writing conventions

## Derived Forms
- orthographer
- orthographic
- orthographical
- orthographically

## Related Forms
- orthograph
- spelling
- grapheme

## Etymology
Through Middle English and French from Latin orthographia, from Greek orthographia, 'correct writing,' built from orthos, 'correct or straight,' + graphein, 'write.' Its scope now includes a language's accepted spelling and broader writing conventions.

## Topics
- Language & Linguistics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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