plethysmograph

American  

[pluh-thiz-muh-graf, -grahf] / pləˈθɪz məˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf /

noun

1. a device for measuring and recording changes in the volume of the body or of a body part or organ.

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plethysmograph British  

/ -ˌɡræf, pləˈθɪzməˌɡrɑːf, -ˈθɪs- /

noun

1. a device for measuring the fluctuations in volume of a bodily organ or part, such as those caused by variations in the amount of blood it contains

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Other Word Forms

• plethysmographic adjective
• plethysmography noun

Etymology

Origin of plethysmograph

First recorded in 1870–75; from Greek plēthysm(ós) “increase, multiplication” ( plēthý(nein) “to increase,” derivative of plêthos “large number, crowd” + -smos, variant of -mos noun suffix) + -o- + -graph; first coined in Italian as pletismografo

Example Sentences

Strapped to their type of plethysmograph, they responded in predictable patterns she labelled "category specific".

From The Guardian

If this proved to be true, what would it mean for all these plethysmograph studies?

From Salon

"That is my new plethysmograph," remarked Gaines, noting with some satisfaction how Kennedy had singled it out.

From Project Gutenberg

I think the experimental psychologists called the thing a "plethysmograph."

From Project Gutenberg

See, when I winced then, the plethysmograph recorded it.

From Project Gutenberg