The word "topographical" is spelled as /ˌtɒpəˈɡræfɪkəl/. It consists of four syllables, with the stress on the second syllable (/pə/). The first two syllables, "topo", come from the Greek word "topos" which means "place", and the last two syllables, "graphical", come from the Greek word "graphos" which means "writing". Thus, the word "topographical" means "relating to the writing of places". It is commonly used to describe geographical features, map-making, and cartography.
Topographical is an adjective that describes or pertains to the detailed physical characteristics or features of a particular area or region, often presented in the form of a map or chart. It is primarily concerned with the accurate representation of the surface configuration, elevations, and other significant geographical elements of a given place. This term is frequently associated with the science of topography, which explores the measurement, description, and depiction of landforms, natural or artificial features, and their spatial relationships.
The field of topographical analysis involves intricate surveying techniques and methods to gather precise data about the relief of an area. This data is used to create topographic maps that showcase the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the terrain accurately. These maps typically display contour lines, indicating changes in elevation, as well as landmarks, bodies of water, vegetation, roads, and other noteworthy details.
In a broader sense, topographical can also refer to any descriptive or visual representation that exhibits the physical layout or configuration of a particular space or object. For instance, it might be used to explain the anatomical or structural features of the human body or the intricate layout of a building or architectural design. The term is often employed in scientific, geographical, architectural, and related contexts to lend precision and clarity in discussing the physical characteristics and spatial organization of a subject matter.
Relating to topography.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Pert. to topography; descriptive of a particular place, or of places.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "topographical" originates from the combination of two Greek words: "topos" meaning "place" and "graph" meaning "to write" or "to describe". The word was first recorded in the English language in the late 18th century and it refers to the act of describing or representing the physical features and characteristics of a particular place or region.