'Parallel' definitions:

Definition of 'parallel'

From: WordNet
adjective
Being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting; "parallel lines never converge"; "concentric circles are parallel"; "dancers in two parallel rows" [ant: oblique, perpendicular]
adjective
Of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations; "parallel processing"
noun
Something having the property of being analogous to something else [syn: analogue, analog, parallel]
noun
An imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator [syn: latitude, line of latitude, parallel of latitude, parallel]
noun
(mathematics) one of a set of parallel geometric figures (parallel lines or planes); "parallels never meet"
verb
Be parallel to; "Their roles are paralleled by ours"
verb
Make or place parallel to something; "They paralleled the ditch to the highway" [syn: parallel, collimate]
verb
Duplicate or match; "The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse" [syn: twin, duplicate, parallel]

Definition of 'Parallel'

From: GCIDE
  • Parallel \Par"al*lel\, a. [F. parall[`e]le, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ?; para` beside + ? of one another, fr. ? other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]
  • 1. (Geom.) Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes. [1913 Webster]
  • Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial. --Hakluyt. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Curved lines or curved planes are said to be parallel when they are in all parts equally distant. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; -- used with to and with. [1913 Webster]
  • When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and our country, it can not be too much cherished. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • Parallel bar. (a) (Steam Eng.) A rod in a parallel motion which is parallel with the working beam. (b) One of a pair of bars raised about five feet above the floor or ground, and parallel to each other, -- used for gymnastic exercises.
  • Parallel circles of a sphere, those circles of the sphere whose planes are parallel to each other.
  • Parallel columns, or Parallels (Printing), two or more passages of reading matter printed side by side, for the purpose of emphasizing the similarity or discrepancy between them.
  • Parallel forces (Mech.), forces which act in directions parallel to each other.
  • Parallel motion. (a) (Mach.) A jointed system of links, rods, or bars, by which the motion of a reciprocating piece, as a piston rod, may be guided, either approximately or exactly in a straight line. --Rankine. (b) (Mus.) The ascending or descending of two or more parts at fixed intervals, as thirds or sixths.
  • Parallel rod (Locomotive Eng.), a metal rod that connects the crank pins of two or more driving wheels; -- called also couping rod, in distinction from the connecting rod. See Illust. of Locomotive, in App. -- {Parallel ruler}, an instrument for drawing parallel lines, so constructed as to have the successive positions of the ruling edge parallel to each other; also, one consisting of two movable parts, the opposite edges of which are always parallel.
  • Parallel sailing (Naut.), sailing on a parallel of latitude.
  • Parallel sphere (Astron. & Geog.), that position of the sphere in which the circles of daily motion are parallel to the horizon, as to an observer at either pole.
  • Parallel vise, a vise having jaws so guided as to remain parallel in all positions. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Parallel'

From: GCIDE
  • Parallel \Par"al*lel\, n.
  • 1. A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Who made the spider parallels design, Sure as De Moivre, without rule or line ? --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Direction conformable to that of another line, [1913 Webster]
  • Lines that from their parallel decline. --Garth. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity. [1913 Webster]
  • Twixt earthly females and the moon All parallels exactly run. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart. [1913 Webster]
  • None but thyself can be thy parallel. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Geog.) One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map; as, the counry was divided into North and South at the 38th parallel. [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • 7. (Mil.) One of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. (Print.) A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines (thus, ) used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page. [1913 Webster]
  • 9. (Elec.) That arrangement of an electrical system in which all positive poles, electrodes, terminals, etc., are joined to one conductor, and all negative poles, etc., to another conductor; -- called also multiple. Opposed to series.
  • Note: Parts of a system so arranged are said to be
  • in parallel or
  • in multiple. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • Limiting parallels. See under Limit, v. t.
  • Parallel of altitude (Astron.), one of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the horizon; an almucantar.
  • Parallel of declination (Astron.), one of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the equator.
  • Parallel of latitude. (a) (Geog.) See def. 6. above. (b) (Astron.) One of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the ecliptic. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Parallel'

From: GCIDE
  • Parallel \Par"al*lel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paralleled; p. pr. & vb. n. Paralleling.]
  • 1. To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something else. [1913 Webster]
  • The needle . . . doth parallel and place itself upon the true meridian. --Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like. [1913 Webster]
  • His life is paralleled Even with the stroke and line of his great justice. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To equal; to match; to correspond to. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To produce or adduce as a parallel. [R.] --Locke. [1913 Webster]
  • My young remembrance can not parallel A fellow to it. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Parallel'

From: GCIDE
  • Parallel \Par"al*lel\, v. i. To be parallel; to correspond; to be like. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'parallel'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Parallel'