orthography

Etymology

The noun is derived from Late Middle English ortografie, ortographie (“spelling”) [and other forms], and then either: * from Anglo-Norman ortografie, Middle French orthographie, ortografie, ortographie (“correct spelling; orthographic projection”) (compare Old French ortografie; modern French orthographe (“spelling, orthography”), orthographie (“orthographic project, orthography”)); or * from their etymon Latin orthographia (“correct spelling; building elevation”), from Koine Greek ὀρθογραφία (orthographía, “correct spelling”), from Ancient Greek ορθο- (ortho-, prefix meaning ‘right, proper; upright’) (from ὀρθός (orthós, “straight; erect, upright; correct, true”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃erdʰ- (“to grow, increase; high; upright”)) + -γραφίᾱ (-graphíā, suffix meaning ‘drawing; writing’) (from γρᾰ́φω (gráphō, “to cut into, scratch; to write”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gerbʰ- (“to carve”)). The English word is analysable as ortho- (prefix meaning ‘proper, right; straight’) + -graphy (suffix denoting something written or otherwise represented in a specified manner, or about a specified subject). The verb is derived from the noun. cognates * Catalan ortografia * Italian ortografia * Portuguese ortografia, orthografia (obsolete) * Spanish ortografía

noun

1. (countable, architecture) A form of projection used to represent three-dimensional objects in two dimensions, in which all the projection lines are orthogonal or perpendicular to the projection plane; an orthographic projection, especially when used to draw an elevation, vertical projection, etc., of a building; also (obsolete) a drawing made in this way.
2. (linguistics)
   1. (countable) A method of representing a language or the sounds of language by written symbols; spelling.
      The Eisteddvod has not, however, been altogether inactive,—we are indebted to it for presenting us with several excellent prize compositions, both in poetry and prose; and as the subject of one of its essays, viz. that on Welsh orthography, is of peculiar interest to the Welsh writers of the present day, I have thought proper to select it for my present treatise, that I might offer a few observations upon it, and so become instrumental, if possible, in establishing the orthography of our language. 1829, John Jones, A Defence of the Reformed System of Welsh Orthography:[…], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] S. Collingwood, printer to the University, for the author, →OCLC, page 4
      In the colonial era there were two major competing orthographies for rendering words from Indian languages, the ‘Jones system,’ based on the spelling in the original language and requiring a substantial application of diacritics, and the ‘Gilchrist system,’ based on pronunciation and requiring less diacritics. 2018, James Lambert, “Setting the Record Straight: An In-depth Examination of Hobson-Jobson”, in International Journal of Lexicography, volume 31, number 4, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, →DOI, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 491
   2. (countable, more broadly) A set of conventions for writing a language, including norms of spelling, capitalization, emphasis, hyphenation, punctuation, and word breaks.
   3. (uncountable) The aspect of language study concerned with letters and their sequences in words; the study of spelling.
   4. (uncountable) Correct spelling according to established usage; also (obsolete) pronunciation according to the spelling of a word.
3. (countable, obsolete) Synonym of orthographer (“someone knowledgeable in spelling rules”)

verb

1. (transitive, rare, archaic) To spell (words) or write (text) according to established usage.
   As it would be unpleasant to the reader to see in print Mr. Dubois's English orthographied as he pronounced his words, we have followed the common way of spelling. 1809, Barnaby Sketchwell [probably a pseudonym], “Criticism Below-stairs”, in London Characters; or Fashions and Customs, of the Present Century.[…], volume I, London: […] B. Crosby and Co.[…], →OCLC, footnote *, page 330
   After this the whole class performed wonders in the spelling line, orthographying the different words, man, boy, cat, &c., with great precision, doing the whole, of course, in song. [From the Musical Gazette.] 1849 June, “Singing School Scene”, in The School Journal and Vermont Agriculturist, volume III, number 2, Windsor, Vt.: Bishop & Tracy, published 1849–1850, →OCLC, page 23, column 1