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topograph

topograph

9.5
A detailed map that shows land shape and features like hills and rivers
  • noun
  • /ˈtɒpəˌɡræf/
translation icon : mapa topográfico
  • Before building the new park, the city council reviewed the topograph of the land to understand its features.

Examples

  • Upper image shows a topograph of the surface at a one-atom-high step from one terrace (red) down to a lower terrace (green).

    Academic text (1993)
  • Both the Almaden topographs and the Yorktown Heights spectroscopy experiments image the local density of states of the electrons in the surface states.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The geologist created a detailed topograph to show the mountains and valleys of the region.

  • The hiking guide used a topograph to help the group navigate through the rough terrain.

Synonyms

chart
vstopograph
  • Specialized
61 3.9

A map used to plan a trip by sea or air

is a detailed representation of physical features not mainly for navigation
topo
vstopograph
  • Informal
1 8.4

A map that shows the shape of land and its height

is a detailed representation focused on one specific place rather than casual maps
contour map
vstopograph
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A map that shows land height and shape using lines that join places at the same height

is more general showing many physical features not only elevation lines
relief map
vstopograph
1 3.9

A map that shows the height and shape of the land using lines or shading

is a detailed map of physical features beyond just elevation or shape

How Detailed

to survey
  • Specialized
22 4.4
topograph
9.5

Surface Forms

topograph singular
topographs plural

Morphology

topograph = graph (opaque) = topo + graph

The combining form topo- meaning 'place' is not transparent to most B1 learners, so the mapping or representation sense is not easily recoverable from the parts.

Etymology

Topograph comes from the parts topo- 'place' and -graph 'to draw', so it literally means a 'place-drawing'. That's why a topograph is a detailed map that shows rivers, hills, and other land features.