graph

[graf, grahf] /græf, grɑf/

noun

a diagram representing a system of connections or interrelations among two or more things by a number of distinctive dots, lines, bars, etc.

Mathematics.

a series of points, discrete or continuous, as in forming a curve or surface, each of which represents a value of a given function.
Also called linear graph. a network of lines connecting points.

a written symbol for an idea, a sound, or a linguistic expression.

verb (used with object)

Mathematics. to draw (a curve) as representing a given function.

to represent by means of a graph.

Origin

1875-80; short for graphic formula; see graphic

Related forms

regraph, verb (used with object)

Can be confused

gaff, gaffe, graph.

Synonyms

1. See map.

graph-

variant of grapho- before a vowel:

grapheme.

-graph

a combining form meaning “drawn,” “written” (lithograph; monograph); specialized in meaning to indicate the instrument rather than the written product of the instrument (telegraph; phonograph).

Origin

< Greek -graphos (something) drawn or written, one who draws or writes. See grapho-

Examples from the web for graph

Each one is tracked by a satellite frequency, its progress displayed by a colored graph on his computer monitor.
The graph is a collection of dots, or vertices, connected by lines.
This graph at first seems pretty silly to me, but then it is very useful in presenting the data.
Mind you, please be skeptical of this graph.
You can't draw a straight-line graph that connects a cellphone, app phone and laptop; you'd need a triangle.
If you were to view this as a graph, you would see that half the boys score higher than 492, but only 5% of the girls do.
Actually, the entire graph is linear, that's why they call it a 'line' graph.
He included a graph with his journal article.
He drew it up on graph paper that night.
That the process is essentially one of exponential increase is most easily shown on a graph.

British Dictionary definitions for graph

graph

/ɡrɑːf; ɡræf/

noun

Also called chart. a drawing depicting the relation between certain sets of numbers or quantities by means of a series of dots, lines, etc, plotted with reference to a set of axes See also bar graph

(maths) a drawing depicting a functional relation between two or three variables by means of a curve or surface containing only those points whose coordinates satisfy the relation

(maths) a structure represented by a diagram consisting of points (vertices) joined by lines (edges)

(linguistics) a symbol in a writing system not further subdivisible into other such symbols

verb

(transitive) to draw or represent in a graph

Word Origin

C19: short for graphic formula

-graph

combining form

an instrument that writes or records: telegraph

a writing, record, or drawing: autograph, lithograph

Derived Forms

-graphic, -graphical, combining_form:in_adjective
-graphically, combining_form:in_adverb

Word Origin

via Latin from Greek -graphos, from graphein to write

Word Origin and History for graph

1878, shortening of graphic formula (see graphic). The verb meaning "charted on a graph" is from 1889. Related: Graphed; graphing.

-graph

word-forming element meaning "instrument for recording; something written," from Greek graphe "writing," from graphein "to write, express by written characters," earlier "to draw, represent by lines drawn" (see -graphy).

graph in Medicine

-graph suff.
An instrument for writing, drawing, or recording: cardiograph.

graph in Science

graph

(grāf)

A diagram showing the relationship of quantities, especially such a diagram in which lines, bars, or proportional areas represent how one quantity depends on or changes with another.
A curve or line showing a mathematical function or equation, typically drawn in a Cartesian coordinate system. The graph of the function y = x² is a parabola.

graph in Technology

1. A collection of nodes and edges.
See also connected graph, degree, directed graph, Moore bound, regular graph, tree.
2. A visual representation of algebraic equations or data.
(1996-09-22)