map

¹

[ map ]

noun

1. a representation, usually on a flat surface, as of the features of an area of the earth or a portion of the heavens, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation:

   a map of Canada.

   Synonyms: diagram, outline, plan

2. a maplike delineation, representation, or reflection of anything:

   The old man's face is a map of time.

3. Mathematics. function ( def 4a ).
4. Slang. the face:

   Wipe that smile off that ugly map of yours.

5. Genetics. genetic map.

verb (used with object)

, mapped, map·ping.

1. to represent or delineate on or as if on a map.
2. to sketch or plan (often followed by out ):

   to map out a new career.

Map

²

[ map ]

noun

1. Walter, c1140–1209?, Welsh ecclesiastic, poet, and satirist.

MAP

³

abbreviation for

1. modified American plan.

Map

¹

/ mæp; ˈmeɪpiːz; mæps /

noun

1. MapWalter?1140?1209MWelshRELIGION: clergymanWRITING: satirist Walter. ?1140–?1209, Welsh ecclesiastic and satirical writer. His chief work is the miscellany De Nugis curialium

map

²

/ mæp /

noun

1. a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface or part of it, showing the geographical distributions, positions, etc, of natural or artificial features such as roads, towns, relief, rainfall, etc
2. a diagrammatic representation of the distribution of stars or of the surface of a celestial body

   a lunar map

3. a maplike drawing of anything
4. maths another name for function
5. a slang word for face
6. off the map
   no longer important or in existence (esp in the phrase wipe off the map )
7. put on the map
   to make (a town, company, etc) well-known

verb

1. to make a map of
2. maths to represent or transform (a function, figure, set, etc) See also map out

   the results were mapped onto a graph

3. map onto
   intr to fit in with or correspond to

map

/ măp /

1. A representation of a region of three-dimensional space, such as of the Earth or a part of the universe, usually on a two-dimensional plane surface.
2. See also projection
3. See genetic map

Derived Forms

• ˈmapper, noun
• ˈmapless, adjective
• ˈmappable, adjective

Other Words From

• mappa·ble adjective
• mapper noun
• re·map verb (used with object) remapped remapping
• self-mapped adjective
• un·mappa·ble adjective
• un·mapped adjective
• well-mapped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of map¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mappe-(mounde), from Medieval Latin mappa mundī “map of the world,” special use of Latin mappa “napkin,” said to be from Punic; perhaps compare Mishnaic Hebrew mapāh “tablecloth”

Word History and Origins

Origin of map¹

C16: from Medieval Latin mappa ( mundi ) map (of the world), from Latin mappa cloth

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. off the map, out of existence; into oblivion:

   Whole cities were wiped off the map.

2. put on the map, to bring into the public eye; make known, famous, or prominent:

   The discovery of gold put our town on the map.

More idioms and phrases containing map

see put on the map ; wipe off the map .

Synonym Study

Map, chart, graph refer to representations of surfaces, areas, or facts. Map most commonly refers to a representation of the surface of the earth or a section of it, or an area of the sky: a map of England. A chart may be an outline map with symbols conveying information superimposed on it, a map designed especially for navigators on water or in the air, a diagram, or a table giving information in an orderly form: a chart of the shoals off a coast. A graph may be a diagram representing a set of interrelated facts by means of dots or lines on a coordinate background; or it may use small figures (people, animals, machines, etc.) appropriate to the facts being represented, each figure standing for a specific number in statistics being given: a graph of the rise in population from 1900 to 1980.

Related Words

• design
• drawing
• graph
• outline
• picture
• plan
• print
• sketch