haplography
Quick Summary
Haplography is the omission of similar or identical letters, syllables, words, or lines during the process of writing or copying. This error can occur when a scribe's eye skips from one instance of a word or phrase to another, inadvertently leaving out the text in between. It is a common type of manuscript error, particularly in ancient texts where scribes meticulously copied existing works by hand.12
This phenomenon is significant in fields like biblical literature, where variations in ancient manuscripts are studied to understand the original texts. Haplography can lead to textual differences between copies of the same work.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
biblical literatureProblems visual in originHaplography, the accidental omission of a letter or word that occurs twice in close proximity, can be found, for example, in the Dead Sea Scroll text of Isaiah.
Read MoreHaplography, the accidental omission of a letter or word that occurs twice in close proximity, can be found, for example, in the Dead Sea Scroll text of Isaiah.
Read More- biblical literatureTypes of manuscript errors
…words and repeating it) and haplography (the omission of syllables, words, or lines) are errors most apt to occur where there are similar words or syllables involved. In chapter 17, verse 15, of John, in one manuscript the following error occurs: “I do not pray that thou shouldest take them…
Read More…words and repeating it) and haplography (the omission of syllables, words, or lines) are errors most apt to occur where there are similar words or syllables involved. In chapter 17, verse 15, of John, in one manuscript the following error occurs: “I do not pray that thou shouldest take them…
Read More