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

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

The Beavers added tallies in each of the next two innings, with Caraway launching a parabolic shot to left field in the fifth inning.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s parabolic, absurdist, quirky family comedy, and you could see a world in which a network or studio may think, ‘Let’s make it grounded.’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Oyelowo, also an executive producer, has a ready description of the tone: “it’s a parabolic surrealist absurdist family comedy,” he said in an interview.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• figurative 
• metaphorical