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Glite Dictionary
ideal solid

ideal solid

8.3
A three-dimensional shape with identical regular flat faces, like a cube
  • noun
  • /aɪˈdiːəl ˈsɒlɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sólido ideal
  • The cube is an example of an ideal solid composed of six square faces.

Examples

  • The ideal solids include cubes and tetrahedra.

  • Mathematicians have studied each ideal solid since ancient times for its symmetrical properties.

  • The regularity of an ideal solid makes it unique among polyhedra.

  • An ideal solid has congruent faces.

  • The cube is one type of ideal solid characterized by its six congruent square faces.

  • An ideal solid is defined by having all faces that are congruent regular polygons.

  • Each ideal solid exhibits identical angles and symmetrical properties.

Synonyms

Platonic solid
vsideal solid
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A 3D shape with all the same regular flat faces, like a cube or tetrahedron

is the alternative historic name for those same five shapes
Platonic body
vsideal solid
  • Specialized
9.7

A solid with the same flat faces and equal angles, like a cube

is the less technical traditional label for that same set
regular polyhedron
vsideal solid
  • Specialized
8.6

A solid shape with identical flat faces that are regular polygons like a cube

is the conventional historic phrase used for that exact group
regular convex polyhedron
vsideal solid
  • Specialized
9.9

A solid with the same flat faces that are regular polygons and with all angles the same

is the more familiar traditional name for those exact figures
regular convex solid
vsideal solid
  • Specialized
9.0

A three-dimensional shape whose faces are the same flat shapes with all sides equal and equal angles between them

is the traditional term used instead of this descriptive geometric phrase

Surface Forms

ideal solid singular
ideal solids plural

Morphology

ideal + solid

The phrase combines 'ideal' (perfect, idealized) and 'solid' (a three-dimensional geometric body), so a B1 learner who knows both words will likely infer it means a perfect or idealized geometric solid. However, the precise technical reference to the five Platonic solids and their specific properties is specialized information that cannot be fully predicted from the constituents alone, making the term only partially transparent.

Etymology

Ideal solid may come from old ideas about perfect shapes. Long ago, thinkers like Plato admired the five three-dimensional figures whose faces and angles are all equal, so they saw them as ideal and truly solid, and that's why today ideal solid means one of those perfectly regular shapes.