Wordul · all words

noun · 1 syllable · /'prɪz.əm/

PRISM

What does "PRISM" mean?

A transparent solid, often triangular, that splits white light into its spectrum of colors.

Meanings

  1. A transparent body, usually with triangular ends, that refracts or disperses light into a spectrum. Sunlight through the prism scattered a rainbow on the wall.
  2. In geometry, a solid with two identical, parallel polygonal ends joined by flat sides. A cube is a special case of a rectangular prism. technical
  3. A particular perspective or lens through which something is viewed. He saw the whole election through the prism of his hometown. figurative

Did you know?

  • Around 1666 Isaac Newton split sunlight with a prism and proved white light is not pure but a blend of all colors - then recombined them with a second prism to prove it.

Word origin

From Greek 'prisma' (something sawed), from 'prizein' (to saw); a prism was conceived as a shape 'sawn off' with flat faces.

Remember it

PRISM = Pure Rays Into Splendid Multicolor - it cracks white light into a rainbow.

A little poem

One plain shaft of white
enters the glass, and leaves changed-
seven names for light.

haiku

Wordplay

  • I asked the prism for one straight answer. It gave me a whole spectrum instead.

What it teaches

Nothing is as simple as it looks: even plain white light is hiding a whole spectrum until something bends it.

Quick facts

What does PRISM mean?

A transparent solid, often triangular, that splits white light into its spectrum of colors.

Is PRISM a valid word?

Yes — PRISM is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.

How many letters is PRISM?

PRISM has 5 letters and 1 syllable.

Where does PRISM come from?

From Greek 'prisma' (something sawed), from 'prizein' (to saw); a prism was conceived as a shape 'sawn off' with flat faces.

What can PRISM teach us?

Nothing is as simple as it looks: even plain white light is hiding a whole spectrum until something bends it.

How players do

Be the first to solve it.

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