polygraph

[ pol-i-graf, -grahf ]
See synonyms for polygraph on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. an apparatus for producing copies of a drawing or writing.

  2. a prolific or versatile author.

verb (used with object)
  1. to test (a person) with a polygraph.

Origin of polygraph

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

Other words from polygraph

  • pol·y·graph·ic [pol-i-graf-ik], /ˌpɒl ɪˈgræf ɪk/, adjective
  • po·lyg·ra·phist [puh-lig-ruh-fist], /pəˈlɪg rə fɪst/, po·lyg·ra·pher, noun

Words Nearby polygraph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use polygraph in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for polygraph

polygraph

/ (ˈpɒlɪˌɡrɑːf, -ˌɡræf) /


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

Origin of polygraph

1
C18: from Greek polugraphos writing copiously

Derived forms of polygraph

  • polygraphic (ˌpɒlɪˈɡræfɪk), adjective
  • polygraphically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012