prismatic

Everyday

1. Shaped like a prism: a solid with two matching ends and flat sides. tree →
2. Splitting white light into the colours of the rainbow, as a glass prism does; shining with many colours: «prismatic colours». tree →
3. Using a prism: «a prismatic compass». tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons prismatic shapes are prisms like a Toblerone box; in science, prismatic colours show how light splits into a spectrum. In stories it describes rainbow sparkles. Phrases: «prismatic colours», «prismatic compass», «prismatic crystals».

Examples

• Sunlight through the crystal made prismatic colours on the wall. tree →
• Some crystals grow in prismatic shapes. tree →
• A prismatic compass helps you take exact bearings. tree →
• The soap bubble shimmered with prismatic light. tree →
• A triangular prism is a prismatic solid with two triangle ends. tree →
• The fountain spray looked prismatic in the sun. tree →

Note

Adjective from «prism». In maths, a prism has the same cross-section all along its length; its volume = area of the end × length. Rainbow colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.