prism

• Solide géométrique ayant deux bases polygonales parallèles et congruentes et des faces latérales rectangulaires, ou dispositif optique en verre ou en quartz servant à réfracter la lumière, à la décomposer en ses couleurs constitutives ou à renverser une image.

A noun referring to a solid geometric figure with two parallel, congruent polygonal bases and rectangular lateral faces, or an optical device made of glass or quartz used to refract light, separate it into its constituent colors, or invert an image.

1. Geometric solidB2formalscientific

   A polyhedron with two congruent and parallel faces (the bases) and whose lateral faces are parallelograms.

   Prisme (solide géométrique)

   • A rectangular prism has six faces, all of which are rectangles.
   • The teacher used a model of a triangular prism to explain volume.
   • In geometry class, we calculated the surface area of a hexagonal prism.

2. Optical deviceB1formalscientific

   A transparent object, often triangular in shape, that refracts light, separating it into its constituent colors or changing its direction.

   Prisme optique

   • A glass prism splits white light into a rainbow of colors.
   • The scientist used a prism to study the spectrum of the light source.
   • Prisms are used in binoculars to invert and correct the image.