Par`a*bol"ic (?), Par`a*bol"ic*al (?), a. [Gr. figurative: cf. F. parabolique. See Parable.]
1.
Of the nature of a parable; expressed by a parable or figure; allegorical; as, parabolical instruction.
2. [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.
© Webster 1913.