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Webster 1913 Edition


Pantograph

Pan′to-graph

,
Noun.
[
Panto-
+
-graph
: cf. F.
pantographe
.]
An instrument for copying plans, maps, and other drawings, on the same, or on a reduced or an enlarged, scale.
[Written also
pantagraph
, and incorrectly
pentagraph
.]
Skew pantograph
,
a kind of pantograph for drawing a copy which is inclined with respect to the original figure; – also called
plagiograph
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Pantograph

PAN'TOGRAPH

,
Noun.
[Gr. all, and to describe.] A mathematical instrument so formed as to copy any sort of drawing or design.

Definition 2024


pantograph

pantograph

English

A pantograph for drawing
An original-style diamond rail pantograph

Noun

pantograph (plural pantographs)

  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

Translations

A modern Z-shaped rail pantograph

Verb

pantograph (third-person singular simple present pantographs, present participle pantographing, simple past and past participle pantographed)

  1. To engrave by means of a pantograph (parallel linkage) system.