Nearby Words
Synonyms
par·al·lel
[par-uh-lel, -luhl] adjective, noun, verb, -leled, -lel·ing or (especially British) -lelled, -lel·ling. adjective
1.
extending in the same direction, equidistant at all points, and never converging or diverging: parallel rows of trees.
2.
having the same direction, course, nature, or tendency; corresponding; similar; analogous: Canada and the U.S. have many parallel economic interests.
3.
Geometry.
a.
(of straight lines) lying in the same plane but never meeting no matter how far extended.
b.
(of planes) having common perpendiculars.
c.
(of a single line, plane, etc.) equidistant from another or others (usually followed by to or with).
4.
Electricity. consisting of or having component parts connected in parallel: a parallel circuit.
5.
EXPANDMusic.
a.
(of two voice parts) progressing so that the interval between them remains the same.
b.
(of a tonality or key) having the same tonic but differing in mode.
noun
7.
a parallel line or plane.
8.
anything parallel or comparable in direction, course, nature, or tendency to something else.
9.
Also called parallel of latitude. Geography.
a.
an imaginary circle on the earth's surface formed by the intersection of a plane parallel to the plane of the equator, bearing east and west and designated in degrees of latitude north or south of the equator along the arc of any meridian.
b.
the line representing this circle on a chart or map.
10.
something identical or similar in essential respects; match; counterpart: a case history without a known parallel.
11.
EXPANDcorrespondence or analogy: These two cases have some parallel with each other.
12.
a comparison of things as if regarded side by side.
13.
Electricity. an arrangement of the components, as resistances, of a circuit in such a way that all positive terminals are connected to one point and all negative terminals are connected to a second point, the same voltage being applied to each component. Compare series (def. 9).
14.
Fortification. a trench cut in the ground before a fortress, parallel to its defenses, for the purpose of covering a besieging force.
15.
Printing. a pair of vertical parallel lines (‖) used as a mark for reference.
16.
COLLAPSETheater. a trestle for supporting a platform (parallel top).
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Paralleled
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
verb (used with object)
17.
to provide or show a parallel for; match.
18.
to go or be in a parallel course, direction, etc., to: The road parallels the river.
19.
to form a parallel to; be equivalent to; equal.
20.
to show the identity or similarity of; compare.
21.
to make parallel.
Origin:
1540–50; < Latin parallēlus < Greek parállēlos side by side, equivalent to par- par- + állēlos one another; see allo-, else
1540–50; < Latin parallēlus < Greek parállēlos side by side, equivalent to par- par- + állēlos one another; see allo-, else
Related forms
par·al·lel·a·ble, adjective
par·al·lel·less, adjective
par·al·lel·ly, adverb
non·par·al·lel, adjective, noun
sub·par·al·lel, adjective
EXPANDun·par·al·lel, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
2. like, alike. 10. equivalent, equal, mate, duplicate, twin, double.
2. like, alike. 10. equivalent, equal, mate, duplicate, twin, double.
Antonyms
2. divergent; unlike; unique. 10. opposite.
2. divergent; unlike; unique. 10. opposite.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To paralleled
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
parallel
1540s, from M.Fr. parallèle, from L. parallelus, from Gk. parallelos "parallel," from para allelois "beside one another," from para "beside" + allelois "each other," from allos "other" (see alias). The verb is first recorded 1590s. Parallel bars as gymnastics apparatus are recorded from 1868.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| parallel (pār'ə-lěl') Pronunciation Key
Adjective Of or relating to lines or surfaces that are separated everywhere from each other by the same distance. Noun Any of the imaginary lines encircling the Earth's surface parallel to the plane of the equator, used to represent degrees of latitude. See illustration at longitude. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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