Definition of prism

The word "prism" has its origins in ancient Greek. The term "πρίσμα" (prisma) was coined by the Greek philosopher Euclid in his book "Optica", written around 300 BCE. Euclid used the term to describe a geometric solid with a polygonal base and rectangular lateral faces. The word is derived from the Greek verb "пра charismatic" (prassō), meaning "to cut" or "to saw", likely referring to the process of cutting a solid to reveal its internal shape. The concept of light passing through a prism, however, dates back to the work of Greek mathematicians and philosophers such as Aristotle and Archimedes. The modern understanding of prisms and their role in refracting light, however, was not fully developed until the scientific discoveries of Isaac Newton and others in the 17th century.