diagraph etymology

Etymology:

The word "diagraph" is derived from the Greek words:

  • "dia-" meaning "through" or "across"
  • "graphein" meaning "to write"

Meaning:

A diagraph is a pair of letters that together represent a single sound in a language. For example, the letters "th" in the word "the" represent the /θ/ sound.

Origin:

The concept of diagraphs was first introduced in the field of linguistics in the 17th century. However, the term "diagraph" was not widely adopted until the 19th century.

Examples:

Here are some common examples of diagraphs in English:

  • sh (e.g., shoe)
  • ch (e.g., church)
  • th (e.g., the)
  • wh (e.g., why)
  • ph (e.g., phone)
  • ng (e.g., sing)
  • ai (e.g., rain)
  • oo (e.g., moon)
  • ee (e.g., feet)

Diagraphs can be found in many languages around the world. They are an important part of the writing system, as they allow for the representation of sounds that cannot be represented by single letters.

diagraph relate terms

  • time

    Etymology Old English tîma time period hour West Germanic tîmon Proto Germanic

  • cybernetics

    Etymology The word cybernetics is derived from the Greek word κυβερνήτης k

  • tangle

    Etymology The word tangle originates from the Middle English word tangel which is i

  • astronomy

    Etymology The word astronomy is derived from the Greek words astron ἄστρον

  • bruise

    Etymology The word bruise comes from the Old French word bruisier meaning to crush or

  • proverb

    Etymology The word proverb originates from the Latin word proverbium which means a

  • king

    Etymology Old English cyning pronounced kuh ning Proto Germanic kuningaz Proto

  • halcyon

    Etymology Early 17th century from Late Latin halcyōn from Greek halkyōn the name o

  • secretary

    Etymology Latin secretarius keeper of secrets Proto Indo European sekw follow