lie detector

views updated May 23 2018

lie de·tec·tor • n. an instrument for determining whether a person is telling the truth by testing for physiological changes considered to be associated with lying.Compare with polygraph.

lie detector

views updated May 18 2018

lie detector (polygraph) Electronic device that may be capable of detecting lies when used by a trained examiner. The lie detector monitors such factors as heart rate, breathing rate and perspiration, all of which may be affected when a person lies.