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  • Obs. n., An error or slip in writing or copying (fr. Greek, 'to err').

    September 9, 2008

  • Apparently still in use in biological nomenclature, where a sphalma typographicum is a typographical error pertaining to the correct name of a species. (Sphalma is also a genus of beetle.)

    Greek sphalma n. "trip, stumble; failure, error" from sphall- v. (< *sphalj-) "trip up; overthrow; balk".

    September 9, 2008