Nicol prism
[ nik-uh l ]
/ ˈnɪk əl /
noun Optics.
one of a pair of prisms used to produce and analyze plane-polarized light in a polarizing microscope.
Also called Nic·ol.Compare polarizer(def 1).
Origin of Nicol prism
1870–75; after William
Nicol (1768–1851), British physicist, its inventor
British Dictionary definitions for nicol prism
Nicol prism
/ (ˈnɪkəl) /
noun
a device composed of two prisms of Iceland spar or calcite cut at specified angles and cemented together with Canada balsam. It is used for producing plane-polarized light
Word Origin for Nicol prism
C19: named after William
Nicol (?1768–1851), Scottish physicist, its inventor