parabolic

¹

[par-uh-bol-ik]

adjective

1. having the form or outline of a parabola.

2. having a longitudinal section in the form of a paraboloid or parabola.

   a parabolic reflector.

3. of or relating to a parabola.

parabolic

²

Sometimes par·a·bol·i·cal

[par-uh-bol-ik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving a parable.

parabolic

¹

/ ˌpærəˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or shaped like a parabola

2. shaped like a paraboloid

   a parabolic mirror

parabolic

²

/ ˌpærəˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

1. of or resembling a parable

Other Word Forms

• parabolicalism noun
• parabolically adverb
• nonparabolical adjective
• nonparabolically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of parabolic¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; parabol(a) + -ic

Origin of parabolic²

1650–60; < Late Latin parabolicus metaphoric < Late Greek parabolikós figurative, equivalent to Greek parabol ( ḗ ) parable + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

The stock market was relatively calm in the weeks leading up to its late-October high, in contrast to the parabolic increase that you’d expect if tops were the opposite of bottoms.

Read more on Barron's

But a rainy weather forecast means the sun's rays will not be able to light the parabolic mirror used by actresses in the garb of ancient priestesses.

Read more on Barron's

Since then, the Nasdaq has climbed, the S&P 500 is near its highs, gold has gone parabolic — classic risk-on behavior.

Read more on MarketWatch

Then usage, which everybody expected to increase as the price fell, went absolutely parabolic.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Unlike the more common ballistic missiles, which travel in a fairly predictable arc – a parabolic curve - hypersonic glide vehicles can move in an erratic way, manoeuvred in final flight towards their target.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• figurative 
• metaphorical