prismatic
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or like a prism.
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formed by or as if by a transparent prism.
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spectral in color; brilliant.
prismatic colors.
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highly varied or faceted.
a prismatic existence.
adjective
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concerned with, containing, or produced by a prism
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exhibiting bright spectral colours
prismatic light
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crystallog another word for orthorhombic
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Relating to or resembling a prism.
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Formed by refraction of light through a prism, used especially of a spectrum of light.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prismatic
Explanation
Something that's prismatic reflects or resembles the multiple colors of the rainbow. The prismatic hues on the surface of the water brightened the gloomy day. You can use this adjective to describe something that looks like a geometrical prism, a three-dimensional shape with two parallel bases and sides which are all parallelograms. The tent you use when you go camping is prismatic in shape, for example. Prismatic also means "reflecting light the way a prism does," so you can describe the prismatic light that shines through ancient stained glass windows in a church.
Vocabulary lists containing prismatic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Prismatic batteries are considered safer and lighter than cylindrical cells and, because they are rectangular, can be more densely packed.
From Reuters • Aug. 23, 2021
The Grand Prismatic Spring, often called simply the rainbow hot spring, really is rainbow-colored.
From National Geographic • Dec. 4, 2017
From the Old Faithful geyser to the multi-colored Grand Prismatic Spring, the park is sure to take your breath away.
From Time • Sep. 1, 2017
Grand Prismatic is the largest hot spring in the country and the third largest in the world.
From Washington Post • Aug. 15, 2016
Prismatic compass with card partly black, to see at night.
From How to Observe in Archaeology by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
