Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - graphic

 or ~al  adjective combining form  Etymology: Late Latin ~us, from Greek -graphikos, from graphikos written or transmitted in a (specified) way stylographic telegraphic GRAPHIC  I. adjective  also ~al  Etymology: Latin ~us, from Greek graphikos, from graphein  Date: 1637  1.  a. of or relating to the pictorial arts; also pictorial  b. of, relating to, or involving such reproductive methods as those of engraving, etching, lithography, photography, serigraphy, and woodcut  c. of or relating to the art of printing  d. relating or according to ~s  2. formed by writing, drawing, or engraving  3. (usually ~)  a. marked by clear lifelike or vividly realistic description  b. vividly or plainly shown or described a ~ sex scene  4. (usually ~al) of, relating to, or represented by a graph  5. of or relating to the written or printed word or the symbols or devices used in writing or printing to represent sound or convey meaning  • ~ally adverb  • ~ness noun Synonyms:  ~, vivid, picturesque mean giving a clear visual impression in words. ~ stresses the evoking of a clear lifelike picture a ~ account of combat. vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous aliveness of something a vivid re-creation of an exciting event. picturesque suggests the presentation of a striking or effective picture composed of features notable for their distinctness and charm a picturesque account of his travels.  II. noun  Date: 1944  1.  a. a product of ~ art  b. plural the ~ media  2.  a. a ~ representation (as a picture, map, or graph) used especially for illustration  b. a pictorial image displayed on a computer screen the program's ~s are impressive  c. plural but singular or plural in construction the art or science of drawing a representation of an object on a two-dimensional surface according to mathematical rules of projection  3. plural but singular or plural in construction the process whereby a computer displays ~s  4. a printed message superimposed on a television picture