Source: Kaleidoscope Renaissance/Wonders of Wonder by Cozy Baker Ampule Small, sealed glass container. Annealing A process that toughens glass. Birefringent Doubly refracting material used in polarized-light scopes. Cell Same as object case or chamber. Dichroic Glass showing different colors depending on the angle of light falling on it. (Dichroic glass is created by a vacuum process that deposits multiple layers of metals onto the surface of the glass. The glass manipulates light by transmitting one color through the glass while a second color is reflected from the surface; hence the name dichroic.) Disc Object case. Dihedral Two-mirror. Dodecahedron A solid figure with twelve faces. First-surface mirror Reflecting metal is on the front surface of the glass, rather than behind the rear surface as in a conventional mirror. Flamework See Lampworking. Flashed glass One color of glass layered onto another color. Front-surface mirror Same as first-surface mirror. Fused glass Colored pieces of glass joined together by heating in a kiln. Hedron A combining form used in the names of geometrical solid figures with the number of faces specified by the initial element. Hot glass Scrap glass that has been heated, fused, and painted. Icosahedron A solid figure with twenty faces. Kaleidoscope A tubelike instrument containing loose bits and pieces that are reflected by mirrors so that various symmetrical patterns appear as the instrument is rotated. The word kaleidoscope is derived from three Greek words meaning beautiful-form-to see. A basic kaleidoscope consists of an eyepiece, an object case or objects to be viewed, and a set of two, three or more mirrors along its length, angled toward each other. The angle of the mirrors determines the number and complexity of the patterns. The pattern changes when the scope or object case is rotated. Lampworking A process using a specially designed torch or lamp to heat glass rods for sculpting, blowing, or beadmaking. Latticinio Embedded threads of swirling white and colored glass. L.E.D. Light-emitting diode. Lens A piece of glass or other transparent substance with two opposing curved surfaces, or one plane surface and one curved surface. Mandala A circular design containing concentric geometric forms, symbolizing the universe, totality, or wholeness in Hinduism and Buddhism. Millefiori Many-cross-section slices of multi-colored glass in floral-like designs. Object case Container at end of scope holding objects to be viewed. Oil-suspension Bits and pieces floating in an oil-filled object case. Optically treated mirror Chemically coated to prevent discoloration. Polarized light Light that vibrates in one plane only (in contrast to ordinary light, which vibrates in all directions). Polyhedron A solid figure with many faces. Shards Slivers of glass. Slumped glass Flat glass placed over a mold and heated until it takes a bent shape. Teleidoscope (from the Greek, distant, form, viewing). A kaleidoscope in which the object case is a lens, or one having no object case at all. Whatever it is pointed towards is reflected again and again in kaleidoscopic patterns. Videndum (pl. videnda) From the Latin "that which should be viewed." Suggested by Dr. Ethan Allen as an appropriate term for object to be viewed.