Prism

Definition of Prism

Pronunciation: prĭz'm
n.1.(Geom.) A solid whose bases or ends are any similar, equal, and parallel plane figures, and whose sides are parallelograms.
2.(Opt.) A transparent body, with usually three rectangular plane faces or sides, and two equal and parallel triangular ends or bases; - used in experiments on refraction, dispersion, etc.
3.(Crystallog.) A form the planes of which are parallel to the vertical axis. See Form, n., 13.
Achromatic prism
(Opt.) a prism composed usually of two prisms of different transparent substances which have unequal dispersive powers, as two different kinds of glass, especially flint glass and crown glass, the difference of dispersive power being compensated by giving them different refracting angles, so that, when placed together so as to have opposite relative positions, a ray of light passed through them is refracted or bent into a new position, but is free from color.
Nicol's prism
(Opt.) An instrument for experiments in polarization, consisting of a rhomb of Iceland spar, which has been bisected obliquely at a certain angle, and the two parts again joined with transparent cement, so that the ordinary image produced by double refraction is thrown out of the field by total reflection from the internal cemented surface, and the extraordinary, or polarized, image alone is transmitted.

Related Words

achromatic lens, astigmatic lens, burning glass, camera, coated lens, concave lens, concavo-convex lens, condenser, convex lens, eyeglass, eyepiece, glass, hand lens, lens, magnifier, magnifying glass, meniscus, object glass, objective, objective prism, ocular, reader, reading glass, telephoto lens, toric lens, varifocal lens, zoom lens
Word:

Browse

Printing paper
Printing press
Printing telegraph
Printing wheel
Printless
Printshop
Prion
Prior
Priorate
Prioress
Priority
Priority of debts
Priorly
Priorship
Priory
Pris
Prisage
Priscillianist
Prise
Priser
-Prism-
Prism glass
Prism telescope
Prismatic
Prismatic borax
Prismatic cleavage
Prismatic colors
Prismatic compass
Prismatic spectrum
Prismatically
Prismatoidal
Prismoid
Prismoidal
Prismy
Prison
Prison bars
Prison breach
Prison house
Prison limits
Prison ship
Prison van
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

© 2014 Delaflex, Inc.Dictionary Home