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”). Doublet of card and carte; related to charter.
A map illustrating the geography of a specific phenomenon.
2
A navigator's map.
› A systematic non-narrative presentation of data.
3
A tabular presentation of data; a table.
4
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 March 23, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 106:
5
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 November 30, Paul Davis, “Letters: Say it as simply as possible”, in The Economist, volume 409, number 8864:
6
A record of a patient's diagnosis, care instructions, and recent history.
I snuck a look at his chart. It doesn't look good.
7
A ranked listing of competitors, as of recorded music.
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”). Doublet of card and carte; related to charter.
1
To draw a chart or map of.
chart the seas
2
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.
1 more example
The men in "Homo," (and even perhaps Haynes himself) are not looking for acceptance or validation, but a way to chart their own notions of self-determination in a world that makes little sense and offers even less comfort.1991 May 4, Michael Bronski, “One Man's 'Poison'”, in Gay Community News, page 11:
3
To record systematically.
4
To enter (medical information) into a medical record.
Did you chart the urine output yet?
5
Of a record or artist To appear on a hit-recording chart.