metallography

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Ancient Greek μέτᾰλλον (métăllon)der. Latin metallum Old French metalbor. Middle English metal English metal Proto-Indo-European *gerbʰ- Proto-Hellenic *grə́pʰō Ancient Greek γρᾰ́φω (grắphō) Ancient Greek -ᾱ (-ā) Ancient Greek -η (-ē) Ancient Greek γραφή (graphḗ) Ancient Greek -γραφίᾱ (-graphíā)bor. French -graphieder. English -ography English metallography From metal + -ography.

1. The study of the structure of metals and their alloys, by any of a variety of techniques
2. A process for utilising metal plates in a manner similar to lithographic stones.
3. A process of imitating the grain of wood on metals.