A D-semi-classical weight is one which satisfies a particular
linear, first order homogeneous equation in a divided-difference operator
D. It is known that the system of polynomials, orthogonal with
respect to this weight, and the associated functions satisfy a linear, first
order homogeneous matrix equation in the divided-difference operator termed the
spectral equation. Attached to the spectral equation is a structure which
constitutes a number of relations such as those arising from compatibility with
the three-term recurrence relation. Here this structure is elucidated in the
general case of quadratic lattices. The simplest examples of the
D-semi-classical orthogonal polynomial systems are precisely those
in the Askey table of hypergeometric and basic hypergeometric orthogonal
polynomials. However within the D-semi-classical class it is
entirely natural to define a generalisation of the Askey table weights which
involve a deformation with respect to new deformation variables. We completely
construct the analogous structures arising from such deformations and their
relations with the other elements of the theory. As an example we treat the
first non-trivial deformation of the Askey-Wilson orthogonal polynomial system
defined by the q-quadratic divided-difference operator, the Askey-Wilson
operator, and derive the coupled first order divided-difference equations
characterising its evolution in the deformation variable. We show that this
system is a member of a sequence of classical solutions to the E7(1)​q-Painlev\'e system.Comment: Submitted to Duke Mathematical Journal on 5th April 201