'Prismatic compass' definitions:

Definition of 'Prismatic compass'

From: GCIDE
  • Prismatic \Pris*mat"ic\, Prismatical \Pris*mat"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. prismatique.]
  • 1. Resembling, or pertaining to, a prism; as, a prismatic form or cleavage. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Separated or distributed by a prism; formed by a prism; as, prismatic colors. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Crystallog.) Same as Orthorhombic. [1913 Webster]
  • Prismatic borax (Chem.), borax crystallized in the form of oblique prisms, with ten molecules of water; -- distinguished from octahedral borax.
  • Prismatic colors (Opt.), the seven colors into which light is resolved when passed through a prism; primary colors. See Primary colors, under Color.
  • Prismatic compass (Surv.), a compass having a prism for viewing a distant object and the compass card at the same time.
  • Prismatic spectrum (Opt.), the spectrum produced by the passage of light through a prism. [1913 Webster]