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.

Example Sentences

The orange sections of the map highlight the areas where staffing and services fall short.

From BBC

The images submitted will be added to an interactive map to help researchers document flood and erosion risks in coastal areas.

From Los Angeles Times

While he worked at an Air National Guard base, Teixeira obtained materials including maps, satellite images and intelligence on US allies, and then posted those documents to an online platform popular with gamers.

From BBC

He shared, “I just want to please assure people this isn’t forever. This is the map in 1984 when Ronald Reagan won.”

From Salon

I didn’t come to my L.A. school’s campus in August to set up my classroom, or spend my last days of summer mapping the upcoming curriculum.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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