Pronunciations (3)
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/ˈpɒliɡɹæf/
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/ˈpɒliɡɹɑːf/
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ˈpɒliɡɹæf
Noun
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.
- Synonyms
- Examples
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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 mechanical instrument for multiplying copies of a writing, resembling multiple pantographs.
Usage- Dated
- Synonyms
A collection of different works, either by one or several authors.
Usage- Archaic
A group of letters that represent a single phoneme.
- Synonyms
Any group of letters treated as a single item.
- Examples
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More examples (1)
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.
An author who writes on many subjects.
A multidimensional directed graph.
- Synonyms
Verb
To administer a polygraph test to.
Usage- Transitive
- Related words
- Examples
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The FBI polygraphed the suspect but learned nothing because they already knew he was lying.
Noun
a medical instrument that records several physiological processes simultaneously (e.g., pulse rate and blood pressure and respiration and perspiration)
- Broader terms