multigraf

Multigraf is a term used in several fields to denote concepts that involve more than one graphic element or connection. The exact meaning depends on the discipline, but the core idea is multiplicity of relations compared with a single, isolated link.

In graph theory, a multigraph is a graph that may contain multiple edges between the same pair of vertices and may include loops, edges that connect a vertex to itself. This differs from a simple graph, which allows at most one edge between any two vertices and excludes loops. Formally, a multigraph is defined as G = (V, E) where V is a set of vertices and E is a multiset of unordered pairs of vertices. Parallel edges and loops affect degree calculations and the behavior of algorithms for paths, connectivity, flow, and matching. Multigraphs are used to model networks where several distinct connections can join the same nodes, such as transportation routes or communication links.

In linguistics and orthography, a multigraf (often called a multigraph) refers to a sequence of two or more letters that represents a single sound or phoneme. Examples include 'sh' in English, 'll' in Spanish, or 'ng' in several languages. Studying multigraps involves phonology, spelling reform, and cross-language comparison, since the same graphemic unit can have different pronunciations in different contexts.

In industry and branding, Multigraf is sometimes used as a company name or product label related to graphics, printing, or design. In these contexts the term signals a focus on graphic services rather than a mathematical concept.

See also: Graph theory, multigraph, simple graph, pseudograph; grapheme; orthography.