Here's a breakdown:
* graphein (γράφειν) is the ancient Greek word for "to write" or "to draw."
* This root appears in many English words related to writing, drawing, recording, or representing information visually.
Examples:
* Autograph: a person's own signature
* Biography: a written account of someone's life
* Cartography: the science of making maps
* Graph: a diagram that shows relationships between variables
* Graphic: relating to visual images
* Graphite: a form of carbon used in pencils
* Photograph: a picture made with a camera
* Telegraph: a system for sending messages over long distances
So, whenever you see the "-graph-" root in a word, think of it as a way to capture information, ideas, or images in a tangible form.