Plagiograph

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pantograph \Pan"to*graph\, n. [Panto- + -graph: cf. F.
     pantographe.]
     An instrument for copying plans, maps, and other drawings, on
     the same, or on a reduced or an enlarged, scale. [Written
     also {pantagraph}, and incorrectly {pentagraph}.]
     [1913 Webster]


  
     2. An electrical conducting device consisting of a
        collapsible frame resembling a pantograph[1], connected to
        the top of an electrically-powered vehicle such as a
        trolley, and used to conduct electrical current between
        the vehicle and an overhead electric wire, which supplies
        the power to the vehicle. The variable height of the
        pantograph ensures that it can move to follow variations
        in the height of the overhead wires, and thus make
        constant contact with the wires.
        [PJC]
  
     {Skew pantograph}, a kind of pantograph for drawing a copy
        which is inclined with respect to the original figure; --
        also called {plagiograph}.
        [1913 Webster] Pantographic