map

¹

[ map ]

noun

1. a representation, usually on a flat surface, as of the features of an area of the earth or a portion of the heavens, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation:

   a map of Canada.

   Synonyms: diagram, outline, plan

2. a maplike delineation, representation, or reflection of anything:

   The old man's face is a map of time.

3. Mathematics. function ( def 4a ).
4. Slang. the face:

   Wipe that smile off that ugly map of yours.

5. Genetics. genetic map.

verb (used with object)

, mapped, map·ping.

1. to represent or delineate on or as if on a map.
2. to sketch or plan (often followed by out ):

   to map out a new career.

Map

²

[ map ]

noun

1. Walter, c1140–1209?, Welsh ecclesiastic, poet, and satirist.

MAP

³

abbreviation for

1. modified American plan.

Map

¹

/ mæp; ˈmeɪpiːz; mæps /

noun

1. MapWalter?1140?1209MWelshRELIGION: clergymanWRITING: satirist Walter. ?1140–?1209, Welsh ecclesiastic and satirical writer. His chief work is the miscellany De Nugis curialium

map

²

/ mæp /

noun

1. a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface or part of it, showing the geographical distributions, positions, etc, of natural or artificial features such as roads, towns, relief, rainfall, etc
2. a diagrammatic representation of the distribution of stars or of the surface of a celestial body

   a lunar map

3. a maplike drawing of anything
4. maths another name for function
5. a slang word for face
6. off the map
   no longer important or in existence (esp in the phrase wipe off the map )
7. put on the map
   to make (a town, company, etc) well-known

verb

1. to make a map of
2. maths to represent or transform (a function, figure, set, etc) See also map out

   the results were mapped onto a graph

3. map onto
   intr to fit in with or correspond to

map

/ măp /

1. A representation of a region of three-dimensional space, such as of the Earth or a part of the universe, usually on a two-dimensional plane surface.
2. See also projection
3. See genetic map

Derived Forms

• ˈmapper, noun
• ˈmapless, adjective
• ˈmappable, adjective

Other Words From

• mappa·ble adjective
• mapper noun
• re·map verb (used with object) remapped remapping
• self-mapped adjective
• un·mappa·ble adjective
• un·mapped adjective
• well-mapped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of map¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mappe-(mounde), from Medieval Latin mappa mundī “map of the world,” special use of Latin mappa “napkin,” said to be from Punic; perhaps compare Mishnaic Hebrew mapāh “tablecloth”

Word History and Origins

Origin of map¹

C16: from Medieval Latin mappa ( mundi ) map (of the world), from Latin mappa cloth

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. off the map, out of existence; into oblivion:

   Whole cities were wiped off the map.

2. put on the map, to bring into the public eye; make known, famous, or prominent:

   The discovery of gold put our town on the map.

More idioms and phrases containing map

see put on the map ; wipe off the map .

Synonym Study

Map, chart, graph refer to representations of surfaces, areas, or facts. Map most commonly refers to a representation of the surface of the earth or a section of it, or an area of the sky: a map of England. A chart may be an outline map with symbols conveying information superimposed on it, a map designed especially for navigators on water or in the air, a diagram, or a table giving information in an orderly form: a chart of the shoals off a coast. A graph may be a diagram representing a set of interrelated facts by means of dots or lines on a coordinate background; or it may use small figures (people, animals, machines, etc.) appropriate to the facts being represented, each figure standing for a specific number in statistics being given: a graph of the rise in population from 1900 to 1980.

Example Sentences

This was also the year Duke University student Belle Knox put college girls on the map.

From The Daily Beast

The Millennial Action Project (MAP) seeks to engage young people in politics and give them more of a voice in governing.

From The Daily Beast

A map shows each station on the route, along with marking POW camps and other landmarks along the way.

From The Daily Beast

“Please,” he laughed, handing me the map after he was finished sketching.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, what this map really showed was the fallacy of aggregates – and how statistics can mask real cultural shifts.

From The Daily Beast

On a small scale map, in an office, you may make mole-hills of mountains; on the ground there's no escaping from its features.

From Project Gutenberg

We righted the boat and laughed, and then Sangree produced the map and explained exactly where we were.

From Project Gutenberg

Illustrated with a map, 14 full-page and 46 text drawings in half-tone by Howard V. Brown.

From Project Gutenberg

Illustrated with a map, 16 full-page and 71 text drawings in half-tone by Howard V. Brown.

From Project Gutenberg

Smith carefully drew a map of the entire area and called it a "Map of the Chesapeake."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• design
• drawing
• graph
• outline
• picture
• plan
• print
• sketch