pantograph

noun

pan·​to·​graph ˈpan-tə-ˌgraf 

1

: an instrument for copying something (such as a map) on a predetermined scale consisting of four light rigid bars jointed in parallelogram form

also : any of various extensible devices of similar construction (as for use as brackets or gates)

2

: an electrical trolley carried by a collapsible and adjustable frame

pantographic

ˌpan-tə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

Illustration of pantograph

• pantograph 1

Examples of pantograph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The movement tracking system was improved on two years later, with a grid of 26 sensors that fed GPS data to a cartographic pantograph in order to plot the 'moving border' between the two countries. —New Atlas, 10 Dec. 2024

Second, the drooping power lines increase the risk that the wires get tangled up in the pantographs, the linkages atop of the trains that slide along the catenary and draw power from it. —Nolan Hicks, Curbed, 9 July 2024

When wires sag, they can get tangled or pulled down in the apparatus on the roof of a train or trolley that connects to them (known as a pantograph), causing delays or knocking a line out of service. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 17 July 2024

The first of the buses, including the pair unveiled Tuesday, will operate on local routes out of the Grand Ave. depot, which is also home to 17 new pantograph chargers. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 14 May 2024

Read full article Battiston said the pantographs — the metal arms that connect Green Line trolleys to the overhead wire — on both cars of the train were broken. —Daniel Kool, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023

The pantograph, attached to the roof of the vehicle, presses against the underside of the lowest overhead wire, the contact wire, according to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. —Zaeem Shaikh, Dallas News, 2 Aug. 2023

Sagging lines can become entangled in the pantographs that reach up from train cars. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 June 2021

Mounted on a four-link, pantograph-style hydraulic mechanism, the oversize center section of the swim platform can cantilever upwards, revealing a tender and toy garage. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 6 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

French pantographe, from pant- + -graphe -graph

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pantograph

• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph
• hodograph
• holograph
• hydrograph
• lithograph
• micrograph
• monograph

Kids Definition

pantograph

noun

pan·​to·​graph ˈpant-ə-ˌgraf 

: an instrument for copying something (as a map) using a previously chosen scale

Medical Definition

pantograph

noun

pan·​to·​graph ˈpant-ə-ˌgraf 

: an instrument for copying (as from a radiograph) on a predetermined scale consisting of four light rigid bars jointed in parallelogram form