chart

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French charte (“card, map”), from Late Latin charta (“paper, card, map”), Latin charta (“papyrus, writing”), from Ancient Greek χάρτης (khártēs, “papyrus, thin sheet”). See charter, card, carte.

noun

1. A map.
   1. A map illustrating the geography of a specific phenomenon.
   2. A navigator's map.
2. A systematic non-narrative presentation of data.
   1. A tabular presentation of data; a table.
   2. A diagram.
      Drawings and pictures are more than mere ornaments in scientific discourse. Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story. 2012-03, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 106
   3. A graph.
      Congratulations on managing to use the phrase “preponderant criterion” in a chart (“On your marks”, November 9th). Was this the work of a kakorrhaphiophobic journalist set a challenge by his colleagues, or simply an example of glossolalia? 2013-11-30, Paul Davis, “Letters: Say it as simply as possible”, in The Economist, volume 409, number 8864
   4. A record of a patient's diagnosis, care instructions, and recent history.
      I snuck a look at his chart. It doesn't look good.
   5. A ranked listing of competitors, as of recorded music.
      They're at the top of the charts again this week.
3. A written deed; a charter.
4. (differential geometry, topology) Synonym of coordinate chart.

verb

1. (transitive) To draw a chart or map of.
   chart the seas
2. (transitive) To draw or figure out (a route or plan).
   Let's chart how we're going to get from here to there.
   We are on a course for disaster without having charted it.
3. (transitive) To record systematically.
4. (intransitive, of a record or artist) To appear on a hit-recording chart.
   The song has charted for 15 weeks!
   The band first charted in 1994.