Polygraph

Quick meaning: Polygraph is a noun meaning (linguistics) A group of letters that represent a single phoneme.

Meaning

(linguistics) A group of letters that represent a single phoneme.

More Meanings

1. Any group of letters treated as a single item.
2. An author who writes on many subjects.
3. (mathematics) A multidimensional directed graph.
4. (transitive) To administer a polygraph test to.
5. 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 posed to a subject, in an attempt to detect deception.
6. (dated) A mechanical instrument for multiplying copies of a writing, resembling multiple pantographs.
7. (archaic) A collection of different works, either by one or several authors.

Example Sentences

The FBI polygraphed the suspect but learned nothing because they already knew he was lying.

It used to be just a plain office with a chair and some instruments on a table. Then they got the new, fancy polygraph system.

A polygraph consists of an unspecified number of adjacent letters. A polygraph need not be recognisable as a word in a language but if we are attempting to decipher a message which is expected to be in English and we find the heptagraph MEETING it is much more promising than if we find a heptagraph such as DKRPIGX.

Word Forms

• polygraphs
• polygraphing
• polygraphed

Synonyms for polygraph

Depending on context, synonyms include autopen, multigraph, computad.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sensor, detector, wand, box, alarm, detection.

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