Lexic.us

Definition of Parabolical

1. Adjective. Resembling or expressed by parables.

Medical Definition of Parabolical

1. 1. Of the nature of a parable; expressed by a parable or figure; allegorical; as, parabolical instruction. 2. [From Parabola. Having the form or nature of a parabola; pertaining to, or resembling, a parabola; as, a parabolic curve. Generated by the revolution of a parabola, or by a line that moves on a parabola as a directing curve; as, a parabolic conoid. 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. Origin: Gr. Figurative: cf. F. Parabolique. See Parable. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Parabolical

Literary usage of Parabolical

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Works of Francis Bacon: Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Albans, and Lord by Francis Bacon (1824)
"Allusive or parabolical, is a narration applied only to express some special purpose or conceit: which latter kind of parabolical wisdom was much more in ..."

2. The Edinburgh Journal of Science by Sir David Brewster (1830)
"... on Spherical and parabolical Specula for Telescopes.— In the new Memoirs of the first class of the Royal Institute of the Netherlands, vol. ii. part ii. ..."

3. Ezekiel and the Book of His Prophecy: An Exposition by Patrick Fairbairn (1855)
"... DOOM CONFIRMED BY A parabolical RELATION OF ASSYRIA'S GREATNESS AND DESTRUCTION. ... parabolical ..."

4. The Universal Masonic Library: A Republication in Thirty Volumes of All the by George Oliver (1855)
"... is, that they make use of hieroglyphical figures, parabolical and symbolical customs and ceremonies, secret words and signs, with different degrees of ..."

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