Parallelepipedon

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A three-dimensional solid bounded by six faces, each of which is a parallelogram lying opposite a matching face
2. A prism-like geometric body with six parallelogram faces arranged in three pairs of parallel planes
3. A solid figure in geometry whose opposite faces are parallel and whose every face takes the shape of a parallelogram

Etymology: A solid bounded by three pairs of parallel faces takes its name from ancient Greek geometry. The Greek "parallēlos" means "parallel," and "epipedon" comes from "epi," meaning "upon," and "pedon," meaning "ground" or "floor," so the name describes a shape built from flat, level planes lying side by side. Euclid used the term in his geometry work, where it refers to the solid itself rather than to any particular example. Its English history is plain: the word was taken straight from Greek as a technical term, and it has stayed a mathematicians' word ever since. Modern English usually shortens it to "parallelepiped," dropping the final Greek "-on," which is the form most dictionaries list as the standard spelling.

Synonyms: parallelepiped