pantograph

American  

[pan-tuh-graf, -grahf] / ˈpæn təˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf /

noun

1. Also pantagraph an instrument for the mechanical copying of plans, diagrams, etc., on any desired scale.

2. Electricity. a device usually consisting of two parallel, hinged, double-diamond frames, for transferring current from an overhead wire to a vehicle, as a trolley car or electric locomotive.

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pantograph British  

/ pænˈtɒɡrəfə, ˌpæntəˈɡræfɪk, ˈpæntəˌɡrɑːf /

noun

1. an instrument consisting of pivoted levers for copying drawings, maps, etc, to any desired scale

2. a sliding type of current collector, esp a diamond-shaped frame mounted on a train roof in contact with an overhead wire

3. a device consisting of a parallelogram of jointed rods used to suspend a studio lamp so that its height can be adjusted

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Other Word Forms

• pantographer noun
• pantographic adjective
• pantographical adjective
• pantographically adverb
• pantography noun

Etymology

Origin of pantograph

First recorded in 1715–25; panto- + -graph

Example Sentences

As the pantograph makes and breaks contact with the line, he says, it produces sparks and electromagnetic bursts that can “drown the entire spectrum of faint radio signals the telescope is devoted to study.”

From Science Magazine • Mar. 7, 2023

Inside the cab, the transition was barely perceptible as Mr. Schmieder deployed the pantograph that connects to the overhead cables, a so-called catenary system.

From New York Times • Aug. 3, 2021

The pantograph is designed to skim the wires that run above the line, collecting electricity that powers the train.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2019

The incident just before 11 a.m. resulted from failure of a pantograph, an apparatus that extends upward from the roof, drawing power from the overhead wire into the train.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 20, 2017

A sketch of a pantograph is given in Fig.

From Things To Make by Williams, Archibald