galactography

English

Etymology 1

galacto- (“milk-related”) +‎ -graphy (“something written or represented”). Circa 1930s.

Noun

galactography (plural galactographies)

1. (medicine) A type of x-ray examination used to evaluate breast fluid.
   • 1971, “The Breast”, in Textbook of Clinical Pathology, page 647:

     A newer technique, galactography, may sometimes be of value in locating ductal papillomas. Bloody nipple discharge suggests the need for galactography.

   • 1988 April 30, Ciatto S, Bravetti P, Berni D, Catarzi S, Bianchi S, “The Role of Galactography in the Detection of Breast Cancer”, in Tumori, volume 74, number 2, page 180:

     Cases are selected for galactography essentially on the basis of the type of nipple discharge.

Synonyms

• ductography

Hypernyms

• mammography

Related terms

• ductogram
• galactogram

Etymology 2

Either galactic +‎ -graphy or blend of galactic +‎ geography. Coined by American science fiction author Isaac Asimov in 1950 in the final installment of the novella "...And Now You Don't" (collected as part of Second Foundation).

Noun

galactography (uncountable)

1. (science fiction) The science of charting and mapping galaxies.
   • 1950 January, Isaac Asimov, “...And Now You Don't”, in Astounding Science-Fiction, volume 44, number 5, page 113:

     ‘Galactography,’ said the mayor, ‘is our greatest enemy. Our admirals make no secret of our almost hopeless, strategic position.’

   • 1960, John Brunner, Slavers of Space, Ace Books, page 22:

     Well, one knows that. I mean, one studies galactography and gets to recognize the stars with inhabited planets in the sky at night.

Derived terms

• galactographer
• galactographic

References

• Jeff Prucher, editor (2007), “galactography”, in Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction, Oxford, Oxfordshire, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 75.
• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “galactography n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.