Pantograph

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpantəɡɹɑːf/, /ˈpantəɡɹaf/

Origin

From French pantographe, from panto- (from Ancient Greek παντός, genitive singular of πᾶν (pan, "all")) and -graphe (from γράφειν (graphein, "to write"))

Full definition of pantograph

Noun

1. A mechanical linkage based on parallelograms causing two objects to move in parallel; notably as a drawing aid.''A pantograph can be adjusted to make either scaled or exact copies.
2. A pattern printed on a document to reduce the ease of photocopying.''I was impressed by the quality of the pantograph; I hadn't noticed it on the original, but the copies were covered in unpleasant lines.
3. (rail transport) A similarly-formed conductive device, now usually Z-shaped, that collects electric current from overhead lines for trains and trams.

Derived terms

• pantographer