polygraph

The term is most commonly used as a synonym for a lie detector, though technically it refers to the instrument that records multiple physiological signals. In legal and forensic contexts, the results of a polygraph are often viewed with skepticism and are frequently inadmissible in court due to concerns over scientific reliability.

When used as a verb, the word describes the act of administering the test. This usage is more common in professional security, intelligence, or law enforcement jargon than in everyday conversation, where phrases like "take a lie detector test" are preferred.