2. Etym: [From Parabola.] (Geom.) (a) Having the form or nature of a parabola; pertaining to, or resembling, a parabola; as, a parabolic curve. (b) 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 (Opt.), 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.
PARABOLICALLY
Par`a*bol"ic*al*ly, adv.
1. By way of parable; in a parabolic manner.
2. In the form of a parabola.
PARABOLIFORM
Par`a*bol"i*form, a. Etym: [Parabola + -form.]
Defn: Resembling a parabola in form.
PARABOLISM
Pa*rab"o*lism, n. Etym: [From Parabola.] (Alg.)
Defn: The division of the terms of an equation by a known quantity that is involved in the first term. [Obs.]
PARABOLIST
Pa*rab"o*list, n.
Defn: A narrator of parables.