polygraph
[ pol-i-graf, -grahf ]
/ ˈpɒl ɪˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf /
noun
an instrument for receiving and recording simultaneously tracings of variations in certain body activities.
a test using such an instrument to determine if a person is telling the truth.
an apparatus for producing copies of a drawing or writing.
a prolific or versatile author.
verb (used with object)
to test (a person) with a polygraph.
Origin of polygraph
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, nounWords nearby polygraph
polyglot,
polygnotus,
polygon,
polygonaceous,
polygonum,
polygraph,
polygynist,
polygynous,
polygyny,
polygyria,
polyhedral
Example sentences from the Web for polygraph
British Dictionary definitions for polygraph
polygraph
/ (ˈpɒlɪˌɡrɑːf, -ˌɡræf) /
noun
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
a device for producing copies of written, printed, or drawn matter
Derived forms of polygraph
polygraphic (ˌpɒlɪˈɡræfɪk), adjective polygraphically, adverbWord Origin for polygraph
C18: from Greek
polugraphos writing copiously
Medical definitions for polygraph
polygraph
[ pŏl′ē-grăf′ ]
n.
An instrument that simultaneously records changes in physiological processes such as heartbeat, blood pressure, and respiration.