EGAVE

prism

About 2.32 uses per million words.

Meaning

  1. noun A polyhedron with parallel ends of the same polygonal shape and size, the other faces being parallelogram-shaped sides. An object having the shape of a geometrical prism (sense 1). A cutting (“open passage at a level lower than the surrounding terrain, dug for a canal, railway, or road to go through”) or an embankment shaped like a prism (sense 1) or a number of prisms, such that its volume can be easily calculated. A crystal in which the faces are parallel to the vertical axis. A transparent block in the shape of a prism (sense 1), typically with triangular ends, used to reflect or refract light. A spectrum produced by light being refracted through a prism.
  2. noun An object having the shape of a geometrical prism (sense 1).
  3. noun A cutting (“open passage at a level lower than the surrounding terrain, dug for a canal, railway, or road to go through”) or an embankment shaped like a prism (sense 1) or a number of prisms, such that its volume can be easily calculated.
  4. noun A crystal in which the faces are parallel to the vertical axis.
  5. noun A transparent block in the shape of a prism (sense 1), typically with triangular ends, used to reflect or refract light. A spectrum produced by light being refracted through a prism.
  6. noun A spectrum produced by light being refracted through a prism.
  7. noun A retroreflector (“device which reflects light back to its source with minimal scattering”) which is usually attached to a surveying pole as a target for a total station which emits a light beam at the device and calculates how long it takes to be reflected back in order to measure distance.
  8. noun A perspective that colours one's perception.

Similar words

optical prism angle prismatic lens light plus standpoint perspective prospect viewpoint

Often followed by

of is and in or with to through at

Word family

prisms

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