Platonic solid

Definition

Any of five convex polyhedra with congruent regular polygonal faces, which have a high degree of symmetry and have been studied since antiquity.

Etymology

From Platonic + solid, in reference to the Greek philosopher Plato, who in his dialogue Timaeus theorised about a correspondence between these solids and the classical physical elements.

Example Sentences

• "As the names suggest, the groups and their existence are connected to the five Platonic solids. They are in fact the rotation groups of the Platonic solids."
• "The boat which the gods tell Utnapishtim to build is no ordinary boat but a perfect cube with seven levels; the ark resembles more a Platonic solid from the Timaeus than a seaworthy craft."
• "The erroneous number of planets, six, gave him^([Johannes Kepler]) the clue for his model of five Platonic solids (the five regular convex polyhedra) on which he erected the universe."