Parallel

Definition

Parallel typically refers to lines or paths that remain equidistant and never meet, regardless of how far they are extended. It can also signify a similarity or comparison between two things.

Parts of Speech

• Noun: parallel (e.g., "The parallels between their lives are striking.")
• Verb: parallel (e.g., "His actions paralleled the predictions.")
• Adjective: parallel (e.g., "These are parallel lines.")

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpærəˌlɛl/
• Respelling: PAR-uh-lel (with "PAR" as in "parent," "uh" as in "cup," and "lel" as in "level")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpærəlɛl/
• Respelling: PAR-uh-lel (similar to American English, with "PAR" as in "parent," "uh" as in "cup," and "lel" as in "level")

In both dialects, "parallel" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "PAR." The pronunciation remains consistent across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of each part, "PAR-uh-lel."

Etymology

The term "parallel" is derived from the Late Latin parallelus, from Greek parallēlos which is formed by "para-" meaning "beside" and "allēlōn" meaning "of one another." The term literally translates to "beside one another" in reference to lines that run alongside each other without intersecting.

Derivatives

• Parallelism
• Parallelogram
• Parallelize
• Paralleled
• Paralleling

Synonyms

• Analogous
• Comparable
• Corresponding

Antonyms

• Perpendicular
• Disparate
• Opposite

Usage

"Parallel" is commonly used in mathematics to describe lines or planes that never meet. It can also be employed in literature and rhetoric to denote similarity or analogy. Additionally, in everyday language, "parallel" can indicate a situation or circumstance that mirrors another.

Related Terms

• Convergent
• Divergent
• Coordinate
• Longitude
• Latitude

Detailed Definition

Noun

• A person or thing that is similar or analogous to another; a counterpart.
• Example: "There are many parallels between the two stories."

• Lines or planes that are equidistant from each other and never meet.
• Example: "On a globe, longitudes are parallels."

Verb

• To be analogous or comparable to something in some way.
• Example: "Her journey paralleled that of her predecessor."

• To run alongside (something) without intersecting.
• Example: "The road parallels the river for several miles."

Adjective

• Being an equal distance apart everywhere and not intersecting.
• Example: "Draw two parallel lines on your paper."

• Occurring or existing at the same time or in a similar way; corresponding.
• Example: "Their struggles were parallel to our own experiences."