prism /pri-zm/

1. A solid whose ends are similar, equal and parallel polygons, and whose sides are parallelograms (geometry)
2. An object of that shape, esp a triangular prism of glass or the like for resolving light into separate colours
3. A crystal form of three or more faces parallel to an axis (crystallography)
4. (loosely) prismatic colours or spectrum

prismatˈic or prismatˈical adjective

1. Resembling, belonging to or using a prism
2. Built up of prisms (crystallography)
3. (of colours or light) (as though) produced by means of a prism, hence clear and brilliant

prismatˈically adverb

prisˈmoid noun (geometry)

A figure like a prism, but with similar unequal ends

prisˈmoidal adjective

prisˈmy adjective

Prismatic in colour

prismatic colours plural noun

The seven colours into which a ray of white light is refracted by a prism, that is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet

prismatic compass noun

A surveying instrument which by means of a prism enables the compass reading to be taken as the object is sighted

prismatic powder noun

Pebble-powder

triangular, quadrilateral, etc prism noun

A prism whose ends are triangles, quadrilaterals, etc

prune³ /proon/

1. A dried plum
2. A plum suitable for drying (US)
3. A plum (obsolete)
4. The dark purple colour of prune juice
5. A dud pilot (RAF sl)
6. A despised or silly person (informal)

Of the colour of prune juice

prunes and prisms

1. Part of a formula for setting the lips into a pleasing shape, ‘serviceable in the formation of a demeanour’ (Dickens, Little Dorrit)
2. Hence (often prisms) a somewhat prim manner of speaking, or any trivial and superficial refinement

• genericization
• genericize
• genericized
• genericizes
• genericizing
• generic name
• generic names
• generics
• generosities
• generosity
• generous
• generously
• generousness
• generousnesses
• genes
• geneses
• Genesiac
• Genesiacal
• genesis
• Genesitic
• gene splicing
• genet
• gene therapies
• gene therapist
• gene therapists