map

pronunciation

How to pronounce map in British English: UK [mæp] word uk audio image

How to pronounce map in American English: US [mæp] word us audio image

Noun:

a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
a function such that for every element of one set there is a unique element of another set
Verb:

make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
explore or survey for the purpose of making a map
locate within a specific region of a chromosome in relation to known DNA or gene sequences
plan, delineate, or arrange in detail
depict as if on a map
to establish a mapping (of mathematical elements or sets)

Word Origin

map: map: [16] Map is closely related to apron and napkin. It comes from Latin mappa, which denoted a ‘cloth’, ‘towel’, ‘sheet’, ‘table-cloth’, etc. This was used in the expression mappa mundī, literally ‘sheet of the world’, which referred to a graphical representation of the earth’s surface – a ‘map’, in other words.=> apron, napkin

map (n.): 1520s, shortening of Middle English mapemounde "map of the world" (late 14c.), and in part from Middle French mappe, shortening of Old French mapemonde, both English and French words from Medieval Latin mappa mundi "map of the world;" first element from Latin mappa "napkin, cloth" (on which maps were drawn), "tablecloth, signal-cloth, flag," said by Quintilian to be of Punic origin (compare Talmudic Hebrew mappa, contraction of Mishnaic menaphah "a fluttering banner, streaming cloth") + Latin mundi "of the world," from mundus "universe, world" (see mundane). Commonly used 17c. in a figurative sense of "epitome; detailed representation." To put (something) on the map "bring it to wide attention" is from 1913.

map (v.): 1580s, from map (n.). Related: Mapped, mapping. To map (something) out in the figurative sense is from 1610s.