Digraph

/ˈdaɪɡræf/ noun

Definition

Two letters that together represent a single sound, like 'ch' in 'chat' or 'ph' in 'phone'.

Etymology

From Greek 'di-' (two) + 'graphia' (writing). The term was coined in the 1800s as linguists needed precise names for letter combinations that function as single units.

Kelly Says

Digraphs explain why English is so complicated—'gh' in 'tough' sounds nothing like the 'gh' in 'though,' revealing how our spelling inherited centuries of language evolution.

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