— polygraphic /pol'i graf"ik/ , adj. — polygraphist /peuh lig"reuh fist/ , polygrapher , n.
/pol"i graf', -grahf'/ , n.
1. an instrument for receiving and recording simultaneously tracings of variations in certain body activities.
2. a test using such an instrument to determine if a person is telling the truth.
3. See lie detector .
4. an apparatus for producing copies of a drawing or writing.
5. a prolific or versatile author.
v.t.
6. to test (a person) with a polygraph.
[ 1795-1805 for def. 1; 1920-25 for def. 3; polýgraphos writing much. See POLY-, -GRAPH ]