First published 1921; not fully revised
† zographynoun
Factsheet
What does the noun zography mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zography. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is only recorded in the late 1500s.
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
Where does the noun zography come from?
Earliest known use
late 1500s
The only known use of the noun zography is in the late 1500s.
OED's only evidence for zography is from 1570, in a translation by John Dee, mathematician, astrologer, and antiquary.
Nearby entries
- zoco, n.1892–
- zodiac, n.1390–
- zodiacal, adj.1576–
- zodiac line, n.1590
- zodiac ring, n.1895–
- zodiographer, n.1650
- zoea, n.1828–
- zoeal, adj.?1870–
- zoetrope, n.1866–
- zographer, n.1570
- zography, n.1570
- zograscope, n.1753–
- Zohar, n.1682–
- zoic, adj.1863–
- -zoic, comb. form¹
- -zoic, comb. form²
- zoid, n.1856–
- zoid, adj.1864–
- zoidiophilous, adj.1872–
- zoidogamous, adj.1899–
- Zoilean, adj.1846–
Meaning & use
Obsolete.
- 1570Cf. zoography n.
- 1570
Zographie, is an Arte Mathematicall, which..demonstrateth, how, the Intersection of all visuall Pyramides, made by any playne assigned, (the Centre, distance, and lightes, beyng determined) may be, by lynes, and due propre colours, represented.
J. Dee in H. Billingsley, translation of Euclid, Elements of Geometrie Math. Præf. sig. dij v
- portraiturea1393–The action or art of portraying a person or object; the representation of an object by painting, drawing, etc.; the genre or technique of…
- portrayc1415–1877The action of portraying something; (a) portrayal; a portrait. Also figurative.
- picture?a1439–The art or process of pictorial representation; the fact or condition of being pictorially represented; painting and drawing; the visual arts. Now…
- similitudea1450–1500A painted or carved image; a depiction. Obsolete.
- depicture?a1513–= depiction, n.; depicting; painting.
- figuration1570–The action or an act of representing something in any of various ways; the result of this. A representation or likeness of a person or thing; a…
- zography1570Cf. zoography, n.
- picturing1585–The action of making a picture by painting, drawing, etc.; depiction. Also concrete: a pictorial representation, a picture. Now rare.
- description1590–A representation in art; a picture, painting, sculpture, etc., representing a person or thing. Now somewhat rare, and usually coloured by or…
- delineament1593–The action of describing, marking out, portraying, or outlining something; delineation. Also: an act or instance of this; a description, outline, or…
- delineation1594–The representation of a person or thing in pictorial form; portrayal, depiction; (concrete) a picture or likeness. Also: the representation or…
- delineature1611–The action or an act of portraying something or someone in words, art, or on stage; description; representation. Cf. delineation, n.
- figurature1618A depiction, an illustration.
- depiction1688–The action of depicting; painted representation, picture; graphic description.
- zoography1814–The depiction in painting or art of animals or living creatures. Also (chiefly with specific allusion to ancient Greek or Latin): pictorial art…
- portrayal1847–The action of portraying something by painting, drawing, photography, etc.; a pictorial representation, a picture, a portrait.
- depicturing1850–
- depicturementa1866–
- pictorialism1869–Pictorial representation or style; spec. photography in which the aim is to create pictures of aesthetic merit, irrespective of subject matter…
- depicting1885–
- pictorialization1901–The practice or an instance of representing something pictorially.
- picturization1913–The action of representing in a picture or making into a picture; esp. cinematic or television adaptation; an instance of this.