plethysmograph

noun

ple·​thys·​mo·​graph ple-ˈthiz-mə-ˌgraf 

plə-

: an instrument for determining and registering variations in the size of an organ, limb, or part resulting from changes in the amount of blood present or passing through it

plethysmographic

ple-ˌthiz-mə-ˈgra-fik 

plə-

adjective

plethysmographically

ple-ˌthiz-mə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

plə-

adverb

plethysmography

ˌple-thiz-ˈmä-grə-fē 

plə-

noun

Examples of plethysmograph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Offenders could be required to submit to plethysmograph testing, in which sensors are attached to their penis, in an effort to find out whether they were aroused by deviant imagery and sounds. —Christopher N. Osher, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2017

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek plēthysmos increase, from plēthynein to increase, from plēthys mass, quantity, from plēthein

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

plethysmograph

noun

ple·​thys·​mo·​graph -ˌgraf 

: an instrument for determining and registering variations in the size of an organ or limb resulting from changes in the amount of blood present or passing through it

plethysmographic

-ˌthiz-mə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective

plethysmographically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb