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¹map

noun \ˈmap\

: a picture or chart that shows the rivers, mountains, streets, etc., in a particular area

: a picture or chart that shows the different parts of something

Full Definition of MAP

a : a representation usually on a flat surface of the whole or a part of an area

b : a representation of the celestial sphere or a part of it

: something that represents with a clarity suggestive of a map <the Freudian map of the mind — Harold Bloom>

: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome —called also genetic map

: function 5a

— map·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— all over the map

: marked by a high degree of variation

— on the map

: in a position of prominence or fame <had put the fledgling university on the map — Lon Tinkle>

See map defined for English-language learners

See map defined for kids

Origin of MAP

Medieval Latin mappa, from Latin, napkin, towel

First Known Use: 1527

Related to MAP

Synonyms: chart

Other Cartography Terms

Robinson projection, benchmark, plat, projection, topography

Rhymes with MAP

cap, chap, clap, crap, flap, frap, gap, gape, hap, knap, lap, Lapp, nap, nape, nappe, pap, rap, sap, scrap, slap, snap, strap, tap, trap, wrap, yap, Yap, zap

²map

verb

: to make a map of (something)

: to plan the details of (something)

mappedmap·ping

Full Definition of MAP

transitive verb

a : to make a map of <map the surface of the moon>

b : to delineate as if on a map <sorrow was mapped on her face>

c : to make a survey of for or as if for the purpose of making a map

d : to assign (as a set or element) in a mathematical or exact correspondence <map picture elements to video memory>

: to plan in detail —often used with out <map out a program>

: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome

intransitive verb

of a gene : to be located

: to be assigned in a relation or connection <the major problems confronting humankind … do not map well onto the traditional disciplines — P. W. Porter>

— map·pa·ble \ˈma-pə-bəl\ adjective

— map·per noun

See map defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of MAP

1586

MAP

abbreviation

Definition of MAP

modified American plan

Map

biographical name \ˈmap\

Definition of MAP

Walter ca 1140–ca 1209 Eng. writer

MAPLIKE Defined for Kids

¹map

noun \ˈmap\

Definition of MAP for Kids

: a picture or chart that shows the features of an area <a street map> <a map of Africa>

: a picture or chart of the sky showing the position of stars and planets

Word History of MAP

In the Latin of ancient Rome the word mappa was applied to a rectangular piece of cloth used as a towel, napkin, or small tablecloth. After the fall of the Roman Empire people still employed Latin as a written language, and mappa then seems to have been applied by land surveyors to squares of cloth on which they plotted land holdings. Eventually any representation of part of the earth's surface was called mappa, and this word was borrowed from Latin into English.