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

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.

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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.’

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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.

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One can certainly discuss this limited series divorced from other critically acclaimed shows, but it’s more interesting to view it as part of a continuum that speaks to our present, whether thematically or parabolically.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• figurative 
• metaphorical