nonce-wd. [f. Gr. ἔτυμο-ς true (see ETYMON) + -γραφια writing; after etymology.] Historical accuracy of spelling.
1838. Du Ponceau, Chinese Syst. Writing, 35. I have shown that their etymography can have no effect upon the mind of the reader, which seizes upon the word, and through it receives the idea.
1886. F. Harrison, in 19th Cent., Jan., 103–4. It is as vain to ask us, in the name of etymography, to turn that name [Shakespeare] into Shakspere, as it would be to ask us, in the name of etymology, to turn ‘Tragedy’ into Goat-song.
