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

The moves have been parabolic and, historically, they don’t get repaired by going sideways.

From Barron's

Pointing to gold’s parabolic climb in recent months, which recently pushed it above $5,600 a troy ounce, he added, “There is no liquidity. It went up. On what?”

From The Wall Street Journal

Though lower interest rates ought to provide a fillip for gold and silver, it seems investors are looking for scraps of news to unwind their recent parabolic rallies.

From Barron's

For proof, check out the parabolic growth of meme stocks, which have often benefited from the power of the retail trader.

From Barron's

Many of their charts look like parabolic moves—almost straight lines higher.

From Barron's

Related Words

• figurative
• metaphorical