zoographyhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoography_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezoography, n.
Revised 2017

zoographynoun

    1. 1.a.
      1593–
      The description of animals and their characteristics, descriptive zoology; a work containing descriptions of animals. Cf. phytography n. 1. In early use also: †description of something or someone as an animal (obsolete). Now chiefly historical.
      1. 1593
        When men play the parts of beasts, let them go among the numbers of cattel in Zoography and keepe their fit place.
        R. Harvey, Philadelphus 97
      2. 1651
        We are now come to that rare piece of Zoography of thine, the world drawn out in the shape of an Animal.
        H. More, Second Lash of Alazonomastix 65
      3. 1671
        But intending no Zoography, I pass from this [sc. the camel] and other Tame Quadrupeds, to observe that Barbary hath all sorts of Beasts that are called Wild.
        L. Addison, West Barbary 99
      4. 1704
        All we could agree upon would be, that Clouds there were, but that I was grosly mistaken in the Zoography and Topography of them.
        J. Swift, Tale of Tub Epistle Ded. 8
      5. 1777
        While taste is pleased with elegance, and the heart susceptible of sympathy, the study of Zoography must be interesting.
        Beauties Natural History p. xiii
      6. 1841
        The zoography of Pallas (completed in 1811, and first published in 1831), has been considerably augmented by Eichwald.
        Monthly Review March 314
      7. 1865
        With regard to species and groups of species, (a) their complete description or Zoography; (b) their systematic arrangement or Taxonomy.
        Natural History Review July 352
      8. 1972
        Natural history is itself treated sacredly, partly as in such sacred zoögraphies as the Historia Animalium Sacra of Franzius.
        E. Miner, John Dryden 255
      9. 2001
        Péron's great plan for a separate volume on the zoography of the voyage also failed to win the support of the authorities.
        A. Moyal, Platypus 28
    2. 1.b.
      1869–
      The geographical distribution of animals; the branch of science dealing with this; = zoogeography n.
      1. 1869
        Of like importance is Dr. Smitt's voluminous synopsis of the Arctic and boreal Bryozoa, which..has established, I believe, this part of zoögraphy on quite a new base.
        American Naturalist vol. 3 215
      2. 1896
        The subject of separation or isolation in its bearings on geology and zoography is discussed by A. E. Ortmann.
        Science 10 July 56/2
      3. 1946
        Admitted that zoography and phytogeography are by no means to be considered as being one and the same science.
        T. Barbour, Naturalist's Scrapbook vi. 109
      4. 1999
        Local zoography may be better predicted with more accurate estimates of local reproductive parameters.
        Journal Zoo & Wildlife Medicine vol. 30 361/2
  1. 2.
    1656–
    The depiction in painting or art of animals or living creatures. Also (chiefly with specific allusion to ancient Greek or Latin): pictorial art in general. rare.
    1. 1656
      Zoography..the painting or picturing of beasts.
      T. Blount, Glossographia
    2. 1814
      The earlier writers on art,..who flourished before the age of Trajan and the Antonines, constantly entitle their books on zoographers, on zoography—this was their only usual denomination for painting, as if still life did not merit the name.
      Monthly Magazine 1 June 406/1
    3. 1865
      Daniell, Wm., R.A. Artist. (Zoögraphy; Oriental Scenery).
      C. Hole, Brief Biogr. Dictionary 123
    4. 1951
      Zoography... On most fine days students are to be seen trying to put the animals on paper.
      Manchester Guardian Weekly 1 September 4
    5. 1976
      Here painting—zoography—betrays being and speech, words and things themselves because it freezes them.
      G. C. Spivak, translation of J. Derrida, Of Grammatology ii. iv. 292

zoography, n. was revised in June 2017.

zoography, n. was last modified in July 2023.