Prism

[skinem]

prism

Pronunciation: 'pri-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin prismat-, prisma, from Greek, literally, anything sawn, from priein to saw
1 : a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2 a : a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light b : a prism-shaped decorative glass luster
3 : a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis; especially : one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
4 : a medium that distorts, slants, or colors whatever is viewed through it

Where I work is currently going through a federal review (one every three years) and the acronym for the review is PRISM. (We call it Professional Results In Systematic Misery instaed of it's real name--Program Review In Sytems Management.)
Cracks me up that the fourth definition is what it is...let's hope it's not accurate.

[Perry]

Does that mean that larges and smalls don't distort or slant?