Polygraph (mathematics)

In mathematics, and particularly in category theory, a polygraph is a generalisation of a directed graph. It is also known as a computad. They were introduced as "polygraphs" by Albert Burroni and as "computads" by Ross Street.

This article is about a notion of higher-dimensional directed graph. For the forensic instrument, see Polygraph. For the dual pen device that produces a simultaneous copy of an original while it is written in cursive writing, see Polygraph (duplicating device). For an author that can write on a variety of different subjects, see Polygraph (author).

In the same way that a directed multigraph can freely generate a category, an n-computad is the "most general" structure which can generate a free n-category.

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