map
/mæp/ noun, verb
Forms maps mapping mapped
- noun A visual representation of an area, whether real or imaginary, showing the relative positions of places and other features. “a map of Australia, a map of Lilliput”
- noun A graphical or logical representation of any structure or system, showing the positions of or relationships between its components. “a map of the Earth's magnetic field”
- noun (mathematics) A function, especially a function satisfying a certain property (e.g. continuity, linearity, etc.; see Usage notes).
- noun (entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Araschnia (especially, Araschnia levana) and Cyrestis, having map-like markings on the wings.
- noun (UK, dated) The face.
- noun (board games, video games) An imaginary or fictional area, often predefined and confined, where a game or a session thereof takes place. “I don't want to play this map again!”
- noun (computing) Synonym of associative array.
- verb (transitive) To represent by means of a map. “This large atlas maps the whole world in very great detail.”
- verb (transitive) To create a map of; to examine or survey in order to gather information for a map. “The team is mapping the route of the new railway line.”
- verb (intransitive, followed by a "to" phrase) To have a direct relationship; to correspond. “This doesn't map to my understanding of how things should work.”
- verb (transitive, followed by a "to" phrase) To create a direct relationship to; to create a correspondence with. “Map "volume down" to the F2 key.”
- verb (mathematics, transitive, followed by a "to" phrase) To act as a function on something, taking it to something else.
- verb (transitive, computing) To assign a drive letter to a shared folder.
Synonyms
plan chart mapping function level stage associative array half board mathematical function single-valued function map out represent
Etymology
Shortening or back-formation of Middle English mappemounde, mapemounde (“world map”), from Old French mapamonde, from Medieval Latin mappa mundī, compound of Latin mappa (“napkin, cloth”) and mundus (“world”). See mop for more on the first component. Doublet of mop, nape, and nappe.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A representation of the surface of the earth, or of some portion of it, showing the relative position of the parts represented; --usually on a flat surface. Also, such a representation of the celestial sphere, or of some part of it.
- noun Anything which represents graphically a succession of events, states, or acts; as, an historical map. Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn. Shak.
- verb To represent by a map; --often with out; as, to survey and map, or map out, a county. Hence, figuratively: To represent or indicate systematically and clearly; to sketch; to plan; as, to map, or map out, a journey; to map out business.
Etymology [From F. mappe, in mappemonde map of the world, fr. L. mappa napkin, signal cloth; -- a Punic word. Cf. Apron, Napkin, Nappe.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “map”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details