parabolic

¹ American  

[par-uh-bol-ik] / ˌpær əˈbɒl ɪk /

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.

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parabolic ² American  

[par-uh-bol-ik] / ˌpær əˈbɒl ɪk /

Sometimes parabolical

adjective

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

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parabolic ¹ British  

/ ˌpærəˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

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

2. shaped like a paraboloid

   a parabolic mirror

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parabolic ² British  

/ ˌpærəˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

1. of or resembling a parable

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

“Silver tends to be a product that goes parabolic, then collapses,” said Brent Donnelly, president of Spectra Markets, a market-research firm.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From 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.

From Barron's

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

From MarketWatch

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• figurative
• metaphorical