prism

[ priz-uhm ]

noun

1. Optics. a transparent solid body, often having triangular bases, used for dispersing light into a spectrum or for reflecting rays of light.
2. Geometry. a solid having bases or ends that are parallel, congruent polygons and sides that are parallelograms.
3. Crystallography. a form having faces parallel to the vertical axis and intersecting the horizontal axes.

prism

/ ˈprɪzəm /

noun

1. a transparent polygonal solid, often having triangular ends and rectangular sides, for dispersing light into a spectrum or for reflecting and deviating light. They are used in spectroscopes, binoculars, periscopes, etc
2. a form of crystal with faces parallel to the vertical axis
3. maths a polyhedron having parallel, polygonal, and congruent bases and sides that are parallelograms

prism

/ prĭz′əm /

1. A geometric solid whose bases are congruent polygons lying in parallel planes and whose sides are parallelograms.
2. A solid of this type, often made of glass with triangular ends, used to disperse light and break it up into a spectrum.
3. A crystal form having 3, 4, 6, 8, or 12 faces parallel to the vertical axis and intersecting the horizontal axis.

prism

1. A solid figure in geometry with bases or ends of the same size and shape and sides that have parallel edges. Also, an object that has this shape.

Notes

A prism of glass (or a similar transparent material) can be used to bend different wavelengths of light by different amounts through refraction . This bending separates a beam of white light into a spectrum of colored light.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prism¹

1560–70; < Late Latin prīsma < Greek prîsma literally, something sawed, akin to prī́zein to saw, prīstēs sawyer

Word History and Origins

Origin of prism¹

C16: from Medieval Latin prisma, from Greek: something shaped by sawing, from prizein to saw

Example Sentences

We might be told that color has something to do with light, or even be shown a prism, through which light refracts to produce a rainbow.

From Salon

If Trump sees West Africa through the prism of relations with Moscow, and his planned deal with President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine, it will introduce a wild card into the region’s politics.

From BBC

The majority of sensible observers, though sometimes not those fans who choose to view decisions through the prism of their own partisanship, accept referees will make mistakes under the severest pressure.

From BBC

Like many in Mexico, Fernando Trejo Reyes, 49, sees his personal financial situation through the prism of the U.S.-Mexican economic relationship.

From Los Angeles Times

These tours, often in India, usually come with an Ashes right around the corner, and therefore England fall into the trap of viewing their results through the prism of success against the Aussies.

From BBC