geography

Definition

The study of the physical properties of the earth, including how humans affect and are affected by them.

Etymology

From Middle French géographie, from Latin geōgraphia, from Ancient Greek γεωγραφία (geōgraphía, “a description of the earth”), from γῆ (gê, “earth”) + γράφω (gráphō, “write”). Use in reference to lavatories derives from the mid-20th century euphemism "show one the geography of the house" in reference to pointing out the toilets.

Example Sentences

• "Some amount of basic geography is part of any good curriculum for primary and secondary education."
• "These days, instead of going off behind the bike shed during recess to learn about sex, kids need to sneak behind the bike shed to do a little bit of closeted geography or closeted Latin."
• "Geographie is (according to Ptolomei) an imitation of the picture of the vvhole Earth. […] VVe take not the Earth ſimply in its ovvn nature as it is an element, for ſo it belongeth to Philoſophy, but for the terreſtrial Globe, ſo it is the ſubiect of Geographie, and is defined to bee a Sphericall body, proportionably compoſed of earth, and vvater."

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