Definition of "pantograph" []

• An instrument for copying a plane figure to a desired scale, consisting of styluses for tracing and copying mounted on four jointed rods in the form of a parallelogram with extended sides. (noun)
• A similarly jointed framework, such as a power-collecting trolley on an electric locomotive or an extensible telephone arm. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Under the refit plan, the 57 Voyager trains used by CrossCountry would receive an additional carriage fitted with a pantograph, which is attached to the roof of a train and draws down electricity from overhead lines."
• "The pantograph is a simple apparatus for copying drawings, maps, designs, etc., on a reduced or enlarged scale, or to the same size as the original."
• "This kind of pantograph machine has long been the traditional means of manufacturing wooden figures in many of South Tyrol's valleys."