petrography

1 of 2

noun

pe·​trog·​ra·​phy pə-ˈträ-grə-fē How to pronounce petrography (audio)
pe-
: the description and systematic classification of rocks
petrographer
pə-ˈträ-grə-fər How to pronounce petrography (audio)
pe-
noun
petrographic
ˌpe-trə-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce petrography (audio)
adjective
or petrographical
ˌpe-trə-ˈgra-fi-kəl How to pronounce petrography (audio)
petrographically
ˌpe-trə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce petrography (audio)
adverb

petrographic

2 of 2

adjective

pet·​ro·​graph·​ic ¦pe‧trə¦grafik How to pronounce petrographic (audio)
-fēk
variants or petrographical
-fə̇kəl How to pronounce petrographic (audio)
-fēk-
: of or relating to petrography
petrographically
-fə̇k(ə)lē How to pronounce petrographic (audio)
-fēk-, 
-li
adverb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

petro- + -graphy

Adjective

petrographic probably from (assumed) New Latin petrographicus, from New Latin petrographia petrography + Latin -icus -ic; petrographical from New Latin petrographia + English -ical

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petrography was in 1651

Rhymes for petrography

See All Rhymes for petrography

Browse Nearby Words

petrographic province
petrography
petrohyoid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petrography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petrography. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on petrography

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about petrography

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