Porro prism

noun

Por·​ro prism
ˈpȯ(ˌ)rō-
: an optical device that inverts and reverses right and left an image viewed through it, that consists usually of a pair of isosceles right-angled prisms so arranged that a beam of light entering the hypotenuse face of one is totally reflected twice before emerging at the same face and entering the second prism at its hypotenuse face and being again doubly reflected, and that makes possible a shortening of the physical length of the instrument in which it is used see prism binocular

Word History

Etymology

after Ignazio Porro †1875 Italian engineer

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Porro prism

Cite this Entry

“Porro prism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Porro%20prism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!