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parallel Definition

par·al·lel (par′ə lel′, -ləl)

adjective

  1. extending in the same direction and at the same distance apart at every point, so as never to meet, as lines, planes, etc.
  2. having parallel parts or movements, as some machines, tools, etc.
    1. closely similar or corresponding, as in purpose, tendency, time, or essential parts
    2. characterized by a balanced or coordinated arrangement of syntactic elements, esp. of phrases or clauses “I came, I saw, I conquered” is an example of parallel structure
  4. Comput.
    1. of or for the transmission of data, by means of several wires, a byte or more at a time a parallel port
    2. having to do with the performing of multiple operations simultaneously parallel processing
  5. Elec. designating or of a circuit in parallel
  6. Music having consistently equal intervals in pitch, as two parts of harmony, a series of chords, etc.

Etymology: Fr parallèle < L parallelus < Gr parallēlos < para-, side by side (see para-) + allēlos, one another < allos, other: see else

adverb

in a parallel manner

noun

  1. something parallel to something else, as a line or surface
  2. any person or thing essentially the same as, or closely corresponding to, another; counterpart
  3. the condition of being parallel; conformity in essential points
  4. any comparison showing the existence of similarity or likeness
    1. any of the imaginary lines parallel to the equator and representing degrees of latitude on the earth's surface
    2. such a line drawn on a map or globe
  6. a sign (∥) used in printing as a reference mark
  7. Elec. an arrangement of devices in a circuit, in which two or more components have their negative terminals joined to one conductor and their positive to another, so that an identical potential difference is applied to each component: usually in the phrase in parallel

transitive verb -·al·leled′ or -·al·lelled′, -·al·lel′·ing or -·al·lel′·ling

    1. to make (one thing) parallel to another
    2. to make parallel to each other
  2. to be parallel with; extend parallel to a road that parallels the river
  3. to compare (things, ideas, etc.) in order to show similarity or likeness
  4. to be or find a counterpart for; match; equal

parallel Synonyms

parallel

modif.

  1. Equidistant at all points

    side by side, never meeting, running parallel, co-ordinate, coextending, lateral, laterally, in the same direction, extending equally.

  2. Similar in kind, position, or the like

    identical, equal, conforming; see alike 1, 2.

parallel Synonyms

parallel

n.

resemblance, likeness, correspondence; see similarity.

parallel Synonyms

parallel

v.

match, correspond, correlate; see equal.

parallel Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • draw: Draw three parallel, horizontal lines from these points.
  • run: There were another three, each running parallel to the first.
  • suggest: In using the installation format, Stones suggests a parallel between the commodification of science and art itself.
  • reveal: Microscopic examination of the mimic and model cuticle may also reveal some interesting parallels.

Adjective modifier

  • 38th: In July 1953 an agreement was reached for a ceasefire along the 38th parallel but no treaty was ever signed.
  • striking: As the collection proceeds the editors note striking parallels between issues raised before 1914 and recent events.
  • uncanny: A popular wall mural in working class Protestant areas draws an uncanny parallel with Marc Evans ' film.
  • exact: Their plan is an exact parallel with the strategy of Hattersley, Kaufman, Golding et al during 1983.
  • interesting: Robert is a great speaker and his talk drew many interesting parallels between the open Source movement and Renaissance Italy.

Modifies a noun

  • universe: There is also a parallel universe which I don't visit much.
  • port: Can I use a hardware key that goes on my PC parallel port with the DOS on Mac Card for LC?
  • corpus: Using parallel corpora in translation Parallel corpora are large collections of texts in two languages.
  • import: Most bikes on UK roads are parallel imports, invariably from Japan.
  • session: Of the parallel sessions I went to Topic 1 on policy partly out of intrinsic interest, partly to hear Tony Bates.
  • processing: This document gives a brief overview of how to use SMP Linux systems for parallel processing.

Modifying Another Word

  • massively: We will integrate aspects of these standards and extend them for numerical computing on massively parallel systems.
  • roughly: Crop formation frequency, at least in England, has roughly paralleled sunspot numbers.

Noun used with modifier

  • axis: The self rotation function indicates a six fold rotation axis parallel with the x-axis.

Used with adjective complement

  • run: Marlborough Court is located on Pembroke Road which runs parallel to Kensington High Street with its man.
parallel Quotes

We want you to feel unhampered tactically and strategically to proceed north of the 38th parallel.

—Marshall, George C(atlett)

Faith, n. Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks, without knowledge, of things without parallel.

—Bierce, Ambrose Gwinett

Oversimplification isnowa commontermof reproach in academic discussions; everyone is against oversimplification. But there is no parallel term nearlyas frequently used to describe the opposite phenomenon, which surely occurs as often, if not more so.

—Berger, Bennett Maurice