From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Parallel \Par"al*lel\, adjective [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.
Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial. --Hakluyt.
Note: Curved lines or curved planes are said to be parallel when they are in all parts equally distant.
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.
When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and our country, it can not be too much cherished. --Addison.
3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage. --Addison.
{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.
Define.com is a registered nonprofit corporation dedicated solely to the global public interest and the advancement of humanity. It belongs to all of us who have a desire to promote electronic democracy, science, creativity, imagination, reason, critical thinking, peace, race and gender equality, civil rights, equal access to education, personal liberty, free speech, animal rights, compassionate and nonviolent parenting, social and economic justice, global monetary reform, Secular Humanism, cognitive liberty and a permanent cessation of The War on Drugs.
Let's see what we can do if we put our heads together.
0