Prismatic
/prɪzˈmætɪk/noun
Relating to, resembling, or produced by a prism, especially in separating light into colors.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces to Ancient Greek πρίσμα, meaning “something sawed off,” describing the solid’s cut geometric form long before its association with rainbows.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“To cut or strike; a proposed ancient root connected with the idea behind Greek πρίζω, “to saw.””
Ancient Greek
Greek
πρίζω (prízō)
“To saw or cut with a saw.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πρίσμα (prísma)
“Something sawed off; a piece or solid produced by cutting.”
16th Century
Latin
prisma
“A geometric solid adopted into scientific Latin from Greek.”
17th Century
English
prism
“A transparent geometric solid capable of refracting light.”
19th Century
English
prismatic
“Relating to a prism or displaying the colors produced by one.”