grapheme
[ graf-eem ]
/ ˈgræf im /
noun Linguistics.
a minimal unit of a writing system.
a unit of a writing system consisting of all the written symbols or sequences of written symbols that are used to represent a single phoneme.
OTHER WORDS FROM grapheme
gra·phe·mi·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby grapheme
graph paper,
graph theory,
graph-,
graphalloy,
graphanesthesia,
grapheme,
graphemics,
graphene,
graphic,
graphic accent,
graphic arts
British Dictionary definitions for grapheme
grapheme
/ (ˈɡræfiːm) /
noun
linguistics
one of a set of orthographic symbols (letters or combinations of letters) in a given language that serve to distinguish one word from another and usually correspond to or represent phonemes, e.g. the f in fun, the ph in phantom, and the gh in laugh
Derived forms of grapheme
graphemically, adverbWord Origin for grapheme
C20: from Greek
graphēma a letter