| 释义 |
▪ I. diagram, n.|ˈdaɪəgræm|
[a. F. diagramme, or ad. L. diagramma, Gr. διάγραµµα that which is marked out by lines, a geometrical figure, written list, register, the gamut or scale in music, f. διαγράϕειν to mark out by lines, draw, draw out, write in a register, f. δια- through + γράϕειν to write.]
1. Geom. A figure composed of lines, serving to illustrate a definition or statement, or to aid in the proof of a proposition.
polar diagram: a spherical polygon, i.e. one traced on the surface of a sphere, whose sides are arcs joining the poles of the sides of a given spherical polygon.
1645N. Stone Enchir. Fortif. 68 The Diagram on the Table directs for the making of it thus. Ibid. 74 Diagram, a word used by the Mathematicks for any thing that is demonstrated by lines. 1734Berkeley Analyst §50 The diagrams in a geometrical demonstration. 1879Thomson & Tait Nat. Phil. I. i. §134 Another closed or open polygon, constituting what is called the polar diagram to the given polygon.
2. An illustrative figure which, without representing the exact appearance of an object, gives an outline or general scheme of it, so as to exhibit the shape and relations of its various parts.
Hence applied to such different designs as a map of the heavens, a delineation of a crystal, a representation of microscopic forms, etc. floral diagram (Bot.): a linear drawing showing the position and number of the parts of a flower as seen on a transverse section.
1619Bainbridge Descr. Late Comet 16, I must entreat you to examine this following diagram. 1635N. Carpenter Geog. Del. i. v. 111 To set downe in a Diagram both the number and order of all the heauenly Orbs. 1727Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Building, If the Workman be well skill'd in perspective more than one face may be represented in one Diagram, scenographically. 1831Brewster Newton (1855) II. xxii. 394 A scroll, on which is drawn a remarkable diagram relative to the solar system. 1855Thackeray Newcomes I. xvii. 165 Illustrated by diagrams the interview which he had with that professor. c1860Faraday Forces Nat. 175, I have shown in this diagram..the rays of a candle. 1875Bennett & Dyer Sachs' Bot. ii. v. 524 Diagram of the flower of Liliaceæ.
transf.1860Emerson Cond. Life, Consid. Wks. (Bohn) II. 420 We learn geology the morning after the earthquake on ghastly diagrams of cloven mountains. 1876Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. III. xlii. 226 Turning himself into a sort of diagram instead of a growth.
3. A set of lines, marks, or tracings which represent symbolically the course or results of any action or process, or the variations which characterize it; e.g. the intensity of action or quality, the rise and fall of temperature or pressure, of the death-rate, rate of emigration, rate of exchange, the derivation and mutual relation of languages, etc.
b. A delineation used to symbolize related abstract propositions or mental processes.
Often with defining word prefixed, as indicator-diagram (in the steam-engine), acceleration-diagram, force-diagram, velocity-diagram.
1839R. S. Robinson Naut. Steam Eng. 157 The diagram points out that the steam port was now closed. 1876Daily News 30 Sept. 2/2 Five successive shots..within a few feet of each other..In small-arm parlance, the gun has made a wonderfully ‘good diagram’. 1885Watson & Burbury Math. Th. Electr. & Magn. I. 242 We may represent the thermoelectric powers of different metals at different temperatures by a diagram. 1893W. Minto Logic i. i. ii. 64 The relations between the terms in the four forms are represented by simple diagrams known as Euler's circles.
†4. After Greek usage: A list, register, or enumeration; a detailed inscription; also, ‘the title of a booke’ (Cockeram 1623). Obs.
1631Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 8 An Epitaph is..an astrict pithie Diagram, writ..vpon the tombe..declaring..the name, the age..and time of the death of the person therein interred. 1662Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. iii. iv. §9 In only one Family..he makes a Diagramme consisting of almost an innumerable company of men.
†5. Mus. A musical scale, a gamut. Obs.
1656Blount Glossogr., Diagram..in Musick is called a proportion of measures distinguished by certain notes. 1727–51Chambers Cycl. s.v., Guido Aretine improved this scale, or diagram, very greatly.
▪ II. ˈdiagram, v. Chiefly U.S.
[f. prec. n.]
trans. To represent by a diagram, make a diagram of. Hence ˈdiagramed ppl. a., ˈdiagraming vbl. n.
1840Carlyle Heroes i. (1872) 23 They are matters which refuse to be theoremed and diagramed. 1880New Eng. Jrnl. Educ. 20 May 327/3 The specimens of diagraming sent us. 1884Health Exhib. Catal. 144/1 Diagrammed results of experiments. 1884F. V. Irish Gram. or Anal. by Diagram Pref. 3 To diagram a few easy sentences. 1936M. H. Bradley Five-minute Girl xii. 221 What else was she doing but winding the net about him, diagramming the ignominy of every exit? 1938S. Chase Tyranny of Words vii. 67 The..Ogden and Richards analysis can be diagrammed by a triangle. 1964C. Chaplin Autobiogr. xxi. 354, I had read Major H. Douglas's Social Credit, which analysed and diagrammed our economic system. 1970Nature 14 Nov. 685/2 These two reactions can be diagrammed according to two schemes. |