pantograph
1 synonym for pantograph, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A mechanical linkage of parallelogram-shaped bars that lets two points move in parallel, often used to copy a drawing at a different scale.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
lazy tongs
How to use pantograph
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
train's pantograph
pantograph mechanism
scissor-lift pantograph
raise the pantograph
overhead line pantograph
The rail transport sense is standard technical vocabulary among transport engineers and enthusiasts.
Etymology
The word comes from French pantographe. That in turn combines Greek panto-, from pas meaning all, with graphein, meaning to write or draw.
Full origin of pantograph →Frequently asked questions
What is a pantograph used for?
It is used to copy or scale a drawing, to form an extending scissor-like frame, or, on trains and trams, to collect electric current from overhead wires.
Why do trains have a pantograph on the roof?
It is the device that presses up against the overhead wire so the train can draw electric power while it moves.
Is a pantograph the same as a scissor lift?
A scissor lift uses a pantograph mechanism, a folding framework of crossed bars, to raise its platform, but the two terms are not always used interchangeably.
