pantograph

Pluralpantographs

Formspantographs, pantographing, pantographed

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A drawing tool made of jointed bars that copies a shape and makes it bigger or smaller.

   Like a copy machine made of sticks: move one end and the other end draws the same shape bigger or smaller.

   The artist used a pantograph to copy the map at twice its original size.

   With a pantograph, you can shrink a large drawing down onto a small card.

   Similaromnigraph

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A frame on top of a train that touches an overhead wire to take in electric power.

   Like a hand reaching up to hold a moving wire and pull power from it.

   The train's pantograph slid along the wire as it sped through the station.

   When the pantograph lost contact with the line, the tram coasted to a stop.

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A set of crossed bars joined so they can stretch out and fold up like an accordion.

   The bathroom mirror sits on a pantograph, so its crossed metal arms fold flat against the wall or stretch out toward you.

   A pantograph lets the lift platform rise straight up as the crossed bars open.

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   A hidden pattern printed on paper that shows a warning or breaks up when someone copies it.

   Like a secret message that only shows up when you try to copy the page.

   The check had a pantograph that made the word "void" appear on every copy.

   A pantograph on the certificate stops people from making clean copies.

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To cut letters or designs into a surface using a jointed copying machine.

   Like tracing over a shape so that a tool carves the same shape into metal.

   The shop will pantograph your name onto the trophy by lunchtime.

   They pantograph each dial face by tracing one master pattern.

   Note

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