polygraph
English
Etymology
poly- + -graph (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɑːf
Noun
polygraph (plural polygraphs)
- A device which measures and records several physiological variables such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and skin conductivity while a series of questions is being asked to a subject, in an attempt to detect lies.
- Synonym: lie detector
- (dated) A mechanical instrument for multiplying copies of a writing, resembling multiple pantographs.
- Synonyms: manifold writer, autopen
- (archaic) A collection of different works, either by one or several authors.
- (linguistics) A group of letters that represent a single phoneme
Translations
device to discern if a subject is lying
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See also
Verb
polygraph (third-person singular simple present polygraphs, present participle polygraphing, simple past and past participle polygraphed)
- (transitive) To administer a polygraph test to.
- The FBI polygraphed the suspect but learned nothing because they already knew he was lying.