also: かくばしら
noun
Only with reading かくちゅう
Geometric term for a prism, typically with polygonal bases. Read as かくちゅう.
三角柱は底面が三角形の角柱です。
A triangular prism is a prism whose base is a triangle.
noun
polygonal pillar; square pillar
Architectural or structural term for a pillar with a polygonal cross-section, especially square. Can be read as either かくちゅう or かくばしら, but かくちゅう is more common in technical contexts.
この建物の正面には四角い角柱が並んでいる。
Square pillars line the front of this building.
noun
Only with reading かくばしら
Rare or specialized term for bamboo, read as かくばしら. Possibly an older or poetic usage; modern Japanese normally uses 竹 (たけ).
古い文献では、角柱が竹を指すことがある。
In old documents, 角柱 (かくばしら) can refer to bamboo.
Compound of 角 (かく, 'angle') and 柱 (ちゅう or ばしら, 'pillar'). The reading かくばしら uses the kun'yomi for 柱, which is less common in modern technical terms.