parallel
Other forms: parallels; paralleled; paralleling; parallelled; parallelling
In math, parallel means two lines that never intersect — think of an equal sign. Figuratively, parallel means similar, or happening at the same time. A story might describe the parallel lives of three close friends.
Parallel is from Greek parallēlos, from the prefix para-, "beside," plus allēlōn, "of one another," from allos, "other." As a noun, a parallel is a way in which things resemble each other — you might draw parallels between the Vietnam War and the U.S. invasion of Iraq. In specialized use, a parallel can mean one of the imaginary circles on the surface of the Earth that are parallel to the equator — the 49th parallel divides the U.S. and Canada.
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being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting“parallel lines never converge”“concentric circles are parallel”“dancers in two parallel rows”synonyms:comparableable to be compared or worthy of comparisonantiparallel(especially of vectors) parallel but oppositely directedcollateralsituated or running side by sidesymmetric, symmetricalhaving similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding partsantonyms:obliqueslanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angledperpendicularintersecting at or forming right anglesconvergenttending to come together from different directionsinclinedat an angle to the horizontal or vertical positionbiasslanting diagonally across the grain of a fabriccata-cornered, catacorner, cater-cornered, catercorner, catty-corner, catty-cornered, kitty-corner, kitty-corneredslanted across a polygon on a diagonal linediagonalconnecting two nonadjacent corners of a plane figure or any two corners of a solid that are not in the same facenonparallel(of e.g. lines or paths) not parallel; convergingoblique-angledhaving oblique anglesnormalforming a right anglerighthaving the axis perpendicular to the base
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(mathematics) one of a set of parallel geometric figures (parallel lines or planes)“parallels never meet”type of:figurea combination of points and lines and planes that form a visible palpable shape
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an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equatorsynonyms: latitude, line of latitude, parallel of latitudetypes:polar circlea line of latitude at the north or south poleshorse latitudeeither of two belts or regions near 30 degrees north or 30 degrees south; characterized by calms and light-baffling windstropiceither of two parallels of latitude about 23.5 degrees to the north and south of the equator representing the points farthest north and south at which the sun can shine directly overhead and constituting the boundaries of the Torrid Zone or tropicstype of:linea spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent
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be parallel to
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make or place parallel to something
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something having the property of being analogous to something elsetypes:echoa close parallel of a feeling, idea, style, etc.type of:similaritythe quality of being similar
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of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations“parallel processing”synonyms:synchronal, synchronic, synchronousoccurring or existing at the same time or having the same period or phase
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duplicate or match
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Vocabulary lists containing parallel
Review these human geography terms and learn all about the human forces that shape and are shaped by the natural world.You'll explore immigration and emigration, colonialism, development and urbanization, demography, globalization, and much more. Expand the boundaries of your vocabulary with this list!
As you read Sharon A. Russell's "What Is the Horror Genre?" learn this word list. Here are links to lists for texts in Grade 8's Collection 2: The Tell-Tale Heart, Scary Tales, The Monkey's Paw, What Is the Horror Genre?
Review these human geography terms and learn all about the human forces that shape and are shaped by the natural world.You'll explore immigration and emigration, colonialism, development and urbanization, demography, globalization, and much more. Expand the boundaries of your vocabulary with this list!