ballistocardiograph
|bal-lis-to-car-di-o-graph|
🇺🇸
/ˌbælɪstəˈkɑrdiəɡræf/
🇬🇧
/ˌbælɪstəʊˈkɑːdiəɡrɑːf/
instrument that records heart‑caused body motion
Etymology
'ballistocardiograph' originates from Modern New Latin/Greek combining forms, specifically the Greek elements 'ballistos' meaning 'thrown' or 'concussion' (related to 'ballistic'), 'kardia' meaning 'heart', and 'graphein' meaning 'to write/record'.
'ballistocardiograph' was coined in English in the early 20th century alongside the terms 'ballistocardiography' (the technique) and 'ballistocardiogram' (the recording); the compound formed directly from the Greek roots to name the device that records heart‑induced body motion.
Initially, it referred to an instrument for recording the ballistic movements of the body caused by the heartbeat; over time the meaning has remained essentially the same but is now used more specifically in medical and physiological contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an instrument that records the ballistic movements or recoil of the human body produced by the heartbeat; a device used in ballistocardiography to produce a ballistocardiogram.
The researchers placed a ballistocardiograph under the bed to record tiny movements caused by each heartbeat.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/06 21:18