prism
/ˈ prɪzəm/noun
1- Geometry a solid geometric figure whose two ends are similar, equal, and parallel rectilinear figures, and whose sides are parallelograms【几何】棱柱（体）, 角柱（体）。
1.1
- Optics a glass or other transparent object in this form, especially one that is triangular with refracting surfaces at an acute angle with each other and that separates white light into a spectrum of colours【光学】棱镜, 折光物。
1.2
- used figuratively with reference to the clarification or distortion afforded by a particular viewpoint〈喻〉（某种观点带来的）澄清（或歪曲）：
the prism of science.
科学的剖析。
词源
late 16th cent.: via late Latin from Greek prisma 'thing sawn'， from prizein 'to saw'.