Polyhedron
/ˌpɒliˈhiːdrən/noun
A solid geometric figure with many flat faces.
Did you know?The second half comes from Greek *hedra*, meaning “seat” or “base,” the same ancient root behind the idea of a throne-like foundation in geometry.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
polýhedron
“having many faces or bases”
Late Greek
Greek
polyhedros
“many-seated; many-faced”
16th Century
Latin
polyhedrum
“a many-faced solid”
16th–17th Century
English
polyhedron
“a geometric solid with many faces”
Modern English
English
polyhedron
“a solid geometric figure with flat polygonal faces”