parallelepiped

/,pærəle'lepiped/

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Word: Parallelepiped

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A parallelepiped is a three-dimensional geometric shape (a prism) where each face is a parallelogram. You can think of it as a box-like shape that has sides that are slanted rather than straight up and down.

Easy Explanation:

Imagine a box, but instead of having square or rectangular sides, the sides are slanted. This slanted box shape is a parallelepiped.

Usage Instructions:

• You would use the word "parallelepiped" when discussing geometry, shapes, or in contexts related to mathematics or architecture.

Example Sentence:

"The architect designed a building in the shape of a parallelepiped to create a modern look."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced mathematics, you might encounter the term "parallelepiped" when discussing vectors and three-dimensional spaces. For example, the volume of a parallelepiped can be calculated using the scalar triple product of its defining vectors.

Word Variants:

• Parallelepipedic (adjective): Describing something that has the shape of a parallelepiped.
  • Example: "The parallelepipedic structure stood out in the skyline."

Different Meanings:

• While "parallelepiped" specifically refers to a geometric shape, in some contexts, it might be used metaphorically to describe objects or structures that resemble this shape.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "parallelepiped" since it is a specific term in geometry. However, you might encounter terms like "prism" in general discussions about three-dimensional shapes, although they refer to a broader category of shapes.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs related to "parallelepiped," as it is a technical term mostly used in formal contexts.

Summary:

A parallelepiped is a unique geometric shape that looks like a slanted box.

Academic

Noun

1. a prism whose bases are parallelograms

Synonyms

• parallelopiped
• parallelepipedon
• parallelopipedon