[to.pog.ra.phy] n [ME topographie, fr. LL topographia, fr. Gk, fr. topographein to describe a place, fr. topos place + graphein to write--more at carve] (15c) 1 a: the art or practice of graphic delineation in detail usu. on maps or charts of natural and man-made features of a place or region esp. in a way to show their relative positions and elevations b: topographical surveying
2. a: the configuration of a surface including its relief and the position of its natural and man-made features b: the physical or natural features of an object or entity and their structural relationships