prism
/ˈprɪz.əm/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
prisma — something sawn
Overview
Meaning Now
- A transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refracts light.
- A solid geometric figure whose two end faces are similar, equal, and parallel rectilinear figures, and whose sides are parallelograms.
Literal older meaning
something sawn
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → French → English
Earliest form
prisma
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term was introduced to geometry by Euclid and later adapted into optics, particularly by Isaac Newton, whose experiments with glass prisms demonstrated that white light is composed of a spectrum of colors.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
prisma
“a prism, something sawn”
From *prizein* (to saw)
- Latin
prisma
“a geometric solid”
- French
prisme
“a prism”
- English
prism
“a solid geometric figure or optical device”
Adopted into technical English usage
Connections
Word parts
prism
root
geometric solid
Related across languages
German
Prisma
prism
French
prisme
prism
Explore next
Related to prism
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.