polygraph

[ pol-i-graf, -grahf ]

noun

1. an instrument for receiving and recording simultaneously tracings of variations in certain body activities.
2. a test using such an instrument to determine if a person is telling the truth.
3. lie detector.
4. an apparatus for producing copies of a drawing or writing.
5. a prolific or versatile author.

verb (used with object)

1. to test (a person) with a polygraph.

polygraph

/ ˌpɒlɪˈɡræfɪk; -ˌɡræf; ˈpɒlɪˌɡrɑːf /

noun

1. an instrument for the simultaneous electrical or mechanical recording of several involuntary physiological activities, including blood pressure, skin resistivity, pulse rate, respiration, and sweating, used esp as a would-be lie detector
2. a device for producing copies of written, printed, or drawn matter

Derived Forms

• polygraphic, adjective
• ˌpolyˈgraphically, adverb

Other Words From

• pol·y·graph·ic [pol-i-, graf, -ik], adjective
• po·lyg·ra·phist [p, uh, -, lig, -r, uh, -fist], po·lygra·pher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of polygraph¹

1795–1805 polygraph fordef 1; 1920–25 polygraph fordef 3; < Greek polýgraphos writing much. See poly-, -graph

Word History and Origins

Origin of polygraph¹

C18: from Greek polugraphos writing copiously

Example Sentences

Her mother, Candus Bly, took and passed a polygraph, according to her husband, Donald Wells.

From The Daily Beast

He was living in Manassas, VA, before his August arrest, which followed a failed polygraph test, court records show.

From Washington Post

The polygraph, which uses a range of measurements including blood pressure, was patented by Leonarde Keeler in 1931.

From The Daily Beast

By way of proving his innocence, DeMaio took a polygraph test—and passed.

From The Daily Beast

Yesterday, The Daily Beast revealed that Egan had, according to his lawyer Jeff Herman, passed a polygraph test.

From The Daily Beast

DeMaio responded to the “vicious rumor” by taking a polygraph test, which he passed.

From The Daily Beast

Forced to take a polygraph test, Saul is asked a question to establish a baseline reading: “Are you sometimes called ‘The Bear’?”

From The Daily Beast

Polygraph, pol′i-graf, n. an instrument for multiplying copies of a writing: a collection of different books.

From Project Gutenberg

Either your girl's mistaken or Van Dellen and his polygraph tech and I were taken in by a brand-new technique.

From Project Gutenberg

It is an interpretation made by human beings of what the machine, the polygraph, shows.

From Project Gutenberg

Because you can only answer yes or no on the polygraph examination.

From Project Gutenberg

All I want to do is tell the truth, and the only way you can know it is by the polygraph, as that is the only way you can know it.

From Project Gutenberg