polygraph

noun

poly·graph ˈpä-lē-ˌgraf How to pronounce polygraph (audio)

: an instrument for recording variations of several different pulsations (as of physiological variables) simultaneously compare lie detector

polygraphic

ˌpä-lē-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce polygraph (audio)

adjective

Did you know?

With its graph- root, polygraph indicates that it writes out several different results. A polygraph's output consists of a set of squiggly lines on a computer screen, each indicating one function being tested. The functions most commonly measured are blood pressure, breathing rate, pulse, and perspiration, all of which tend to increase when you lie. Polygraphs have been in use since 1924, and have gotten more sensitive over the years, though many experts still believe that they're unreliable and that a prepared liar can fool the machine. They're used not only for law enforcement but perhaps more often by employers--often the police department itself!--who don't want to hire someone who has broken the law in the past but won't admit to it.

Example Sentences

They hooked him up to the polygraph and began the test. She was asked to take a polygraph.

Recent Examples on the Web Security clearance is granted after a background check, which is carried out by the Diplomatic Security Service, with some agencies requiring applicants to undergo a polygraph test.

Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2022 The results of her polygraph test were inconclusive.

Morgan Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2022 For me the biggest win — and lesson — was that I wasn’t denied clearance because of my polygraph test.

Khalid Abdulqaadir, New York Times, 29 July 2022 One former Division of Criminal Investigation agent fielded questions from Ravnsborg about what could be extracted from his cellphone during the crash investigation, and another was asked about polygraph testing.

Fox News, 21 June 2022 With that admission and the other evidence Figgers compiled, the last step would be for James to take a polygraph test, corroborating the new evidence.

Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 26 June 2022 In her essay, Mizrahi also wrote that Huth had passed a polygraph test — though the judge forbade her from mentioning that in her testimony.

Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 June 2022 Due to altercations like this, a few years back the Okie Noodling Tournament instituted what might seem like a rather extraordinary measure for a small-town fishing festival: a polygraph.

Matt Carney, Outside Online, 15 June 2022 Justice Department documents show that only the Drug Enforcement Administration requires applicants to undergo polygraph examinations and psychological assessments.

Hannah Rappleye, NBC News, 10 June 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French polygraphe, from poly- poly- + -graphe -graph

Note: As a word for such an instrument, polygraphe was apparently introduced by the French physiologist and inventor Étienne-Jules Maret (1830-1904). Compare "Des appareils enregistreurs en biologie," part 6 of "Histoire naturelle des corps organisés," Revue des cours scientifiques de la France et de l'étranger, 4. annéee (1867), p. 695: "Je vais mettre sous vos yeux l'enregistreur perfectionné que j'emploie aujourd'hui dans un grand nombre de circonstances. J'appelle polygraphe cet appareil, qui peut fournir le graphique d'un grand nombre de phénomènes différents." ("I am going to place before your eyes a perfected recording device that I have used in a great number of situations. I am calling this device a polygraph, which can provide a graphic record of a great number of different phenomena.") The word polygraph had been used earlier in English for a voluminous or versatile writer (after Greek polýgraphos "writing much"), an imitator, and an instrument resembling a pantograph.

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

单词	polygraph
释义	polygraph noun poly·graph ˈpä-lē-ˌgraf : an instrument for recording variations of several different pulsations (as of physiological variables) simultaneously compare lie detector polygraphic ˌpä-lē-ˈgra-fik adjective Did you know? With its graph- root, polygraph indicates that it writes out several different results. A polygraph's output consists of a set of squiggly lines on a computer screen, each indicating one function being tested. The functions most commonly measured are blood pressure, breathing rate, pulse, and perspiration, all of which tend to increase when you lie. Polygraphs have been in use since 1924, and have gotten more sensitive over the years, though many experts still believe that they're unreliable and that a prepared liar can fool the machine. They're used not only for law enforcement but perhaps more often by employers--often the police department itself!--who don't want to hire someone who has broken the law in the past but won't admit to it. Synonyms lie detector See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences They hooked him up to the polygraph and began the test. She was asked to take a polygraph. Recent Examples on the Web Security clearance is granted after a background check, which is carried out by the Diplomatic Security Service, with some agencies requiring applicants to undergo a polygraph test. Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2022 The results of her polygraph test were inconclusive. Morgan Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2022 For me the biggest win — and lesson — was that I wasn’t denied clearance because of my polygraph test. Khalid Abdulqaadir, New York Times, 29 July 2022 One former Division of Criminal Investigation agent fielded questions from Ravnsborg about what could be extracted from his cellphone during the crash investigation, and another was asked about polygraph testing. Fox News, 21 June 2022 With that admission and the other evidence Figgers compiled, the last step would be for James to take a polygraph test, corroborating the new evidence. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 26 June 2022 In her essay, Mizrahi also wrote that Huth had passed a polygraph test — though the judge forbade her from mentioning that in her testimony. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 June 2022 Due to altercations like this, a few years back the Okie Noodling Tournament instituted what might seem like a rather extraordinary measure for a small-town fishing festival: a polygraph. Matt Carney, Outside Online, 15 June 2022 Justice Department documents show that only the Drug Enforcement Administration requires applicants to undergo polygraph examinations and psychological assessments. Hannah Rappleye, NBC News, 10 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from French polygraphe, from poly- poly- + -graphe -graph Note: As a word for such an instrument, polygraphe was apparently introduced by the French physiologist and inventor Étienne-Jules Maret (1830-1904). Compare "Des appareils enregistreurs en biologie," part 6 of "Histoire naturelle des corps organisés," Revue des cours scientifiques de la France et de l'étranger, 4. annéee (1867), p. 695: "Je vais mettre sous vos yeux l'enregistreur perfectionné que j'emploie aujourd'hui dans un grand nombre de circonstances. J'appelle polygraphe cet appareil, qui peut fournir le graphique d'un grand nombre de phénomènes différents." ("I am going to place before your eyes a perfected recording device that I have used in a great number of situations. I am calling this device a polygraph, which can provide a graphic record of a great number of different phenomena.") The word polygraph had been used earlier in English for a voluminous or versatile writer (after Greek polýgraphos "writing much"), an imitator, and an instrument resembling a pantograph. First Known Use 1871, in the meaning defined above Medical Definition polygraph noun poly·graph ˈpäl-i-ˌgraf : an instrument for simultaneously recording variations of several different pulsations (as of the pulse, blood pressure, and respiration) see lie detector Legal Definition polygraph noun poly·graph ˈpä-lē-ˌgraf : an instrument that records physiological pulsations especially : lie detector polygraph noun as in lie detector an instrument for detecting physical signs of the tension that goes with lying intelligence agents were trained to fool the polygraph Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance lie detector
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polygraph

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Medical Definition

noun

Legal Definition

noun

noun