01 a. Of the nature of a parable; expressed by a parable or figure; allegorical; as, parabolical instruction.
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1.
Of the nature of a parable; expressed by a parable or figure; allegorical; as, parabolical instruction.
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2.
Having the form or nature of a parabola; pertaining to, or resembling, a parabola; as, a parabolic curve.(Geom.)
Phrases & compounds
Parabolic conoid —
a paraboloid; a conoid whose directing curve is a parabola. See Conoid.
Parabolic mirror —
a mirror having a paraboloidal surface which gives for parallel rays (as those from very distant objects) images free from aberration. It is used in reflecting telescopes.
Parabolic spindle —
the solid generated by revolving the portion of a parabola cut off by a line drawn at right angles to the axis of the curve, about that line as an axis.
Parabolic spiral —
a spiral curve conceived to be formed by the periphery of a semiparabola when its axis is wrapped about a circle; also, any other spiral curve having an analogy to the parabola.