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¹parallel

adjective par·al·lel \ˈper-ə-ˌlel, ˈpa-rə-, -ləl\

: very similar and often happening at the same time

computers : designed for a computer system in which very small pieces of information are sent over separate wires at the same time

Full Definition of PARALLEL

a : extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant, and not meeting <parallel rows of trees>

b : everywhere equally distant <concentric spheres are parallel>

a : having parallel sides <a parallel reamer>

b : being or relating to an electrical circuit having a number of conductors in parallel

c : arranged in parallel <a parallel processor>

d : relating to or being a connection in a computer system in which the bits of a byte are transmitted over separate channels at the same time <a parallel port> — compare serial

a (1) : similar, analogous, or interdependent in tendency or development (2) : exhibiting parallelism in form, function, or development <parallel evolution>

b : readily compared : companion

c : having identical syntactical elements in corresponding positions; also : being such an element

d (1) : having the same tonic —used of major and minor keys and scales (2) : keeping the same distance apart in musical pitch

: performed while keeping one's skis parallel <parallel turns>

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Origin of PARALLEL

Latin parallelus, from Greek parallēlos, from para beside + allēlōn of one another, from allos … allos one … another, from allos other — more at else

First Known Use: 1549

Related to PARALLEL

Synonyms: akin, analogous, cognate, comparable, connate, correspondent, corresponding, ditto, like, matching, alike, resemblant, resembling, similar, such, suchlike

Antonyms: different, dissimilar, diverse, unakin, unlike

Synonym Discussion of PARALLEL

similar, analogous, parallel mean closely resembling each other. similar implies the possibility of being mistaken for each other <all the houses in the development are similar>. analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities <analogous political systems>. parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things <the parallel careers of two movie stars>.

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

²parallel

noun

: a way in which things are similar : a shared quality or characteristic

: something that is equal or similar

: any one of the imaginary circles on the surface of the Earth that are parallel to the equator and that are shown as lines on maps

Full Definition of PARALLEL

a : a parallel line, curve, or surface

b : one of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth paralleling the equator and marking the latitude; also : the corresponding line on a globe or map — see latitude illustration

c : a character ∥ used in printing especially as a reference mark

a : something equal or similar in all essential particulars : counterpart

b : similarity, analogue

: a comparison to show resemblance

a : the state of being physically parallel

b : an arrangement of electrical devices in a circuit in which the same potential difference is applied to two or more resistances with each resistance being on a different branch of the circuit — compare series

c : an arrangement or state that permits several operations or tasks to be performed simultaneously rather than consecutively

— in parallel

: in a parallel arrangement

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