parabolic

[par-uh-bol-ik]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR parabolic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having the form or outline of a parabola.

having a longitudinal section in the form of a paraboloid or parabola: a parabolic reflector.

of or relating to a parabola.

Origin of parabolic

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

parabolic

[par-uh-bol-ik]

adjective

of, relating to, or involving a parable.

Sometimes par·a·bol·i·cal.

Origin of parabolic

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

Related formspar·a·bol·i·cal·ism, nounpar·a·bol·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·par·a·bol·i·cal, adjectivenon·par·a·bol·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for parabolic

figurative, metaphorical, illustrative, emblematic, symbolizing

Examples from the Web for parabolic

Historical Examples of parabolic

To a stranger it is just a little confusing to be so parabolic—so to speak.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete
Albert Bigelow Paine
The walls then rise, in parabolic outline, to a pointed apex.
History of Ancient Art
Franz von Reber
A type of parabolic reflector now in use is shown in fig. 30.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 6
Various
The two shapes in use are the triangular and the parabolic or balloon-shaped.
The Theory and Practice of Archery
Horace Ford
The parabolic mirror will reflect the star to a perfect focus.
Catharine Furze
Mark Rutherford

British Dictionary definitions for parabolic

parabolic

adjective

of, relating to, or shaped like a parabola

shaped like a paraboloida parabolic mirror

parabolic

parabolical

adjective

of or resembling a parable

Derived Formsparabolically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for parabolic

adj.

mid-15c., from Late Latin parabolicus, from late Greek parabolikos "figurative," from parabole (see parable). Related: Parabolical.