Definition of parallel
- a. - Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally
distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes.
- a. - Having the same direction or tendency; running side by
side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; -- used
with to and with.
- a. - Continuing a resemblance through many particulars;
applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case;
a parallel passage.
- n. - A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant
from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc.
- n. - Direction conformable to that of another line,
- n. - Conformity continued through many particulars or in all
essential points; resemblance; similarity.
- n. - A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as,
Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope.
- n. - Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all
essential particulars; a counterpart.
- n. - One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth,
parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding
line on a globe or map.
- n. - One of a series of long trenches constructed before a
besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops
supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the
line of outer defenses of the fortress.
- n. - A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines
(thus, ) used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked
note in the margin or at the foot of a page.
- v. t. - To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as
to be parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something else.
- v. t. - Fig.: To make to conform to something else in
character, motive, aim, or the like.
- v. t. - To equal; to match; to correspond to.
- v. t. - To produce or adduce as a parallel.
- v. i. - To be parallel; to correspond; to be like.