Parallel word meaning and definition

[noun] something having the property of being analogous to something else
[noun] an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
[adjective] being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting; "parallel lines never converge"; "concentric circles are parallel"; "dancers in two parallel rows"
[adjective] (computer science) of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations; "parallel processing"
[verb] make or place parallel to something; "They paralleled the ditch to the highway."
[verb] be parallel to; "Their roles are paralleled by ours"
[verb] duplicate or match; "The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse"

\Par"al*lel\, n. (Elec.) That arrangement of an electrical system in which all positive poles, electrodes, terminals, etc., are joined to one conductor, and all negative poles, etc., to another conductor; -- called also {multiple}. Opposed to {series}. Note: Parts of a system so arranged are said to be in parallel or in multiple.
\Par"al*lel\, a. [F. parall[`e]le, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ?; ? beside + ? of one another, fr. ? other, akin to L. alius. See {Allien}.] 1. (Geom.) Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes. Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial. --Hakluyt. Note: Curved lines or curved planes are said to be parallel when they are in all parts equally distant. 2. Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; -- used with to and with. When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and our country, it can not be too much cherished. --Addison. 3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage. --Addison. {Parallel bar}.
(a) (Steam Eng.) A rod in a parallel motion which is parallel with the working beam.
(b) One of a pair of bars raised about five feet above the floor or ground, and parallel to each other, -- used for gymnastic exercises. {Parallel circles of a sphere}, those circles of the sphere whose planes are parallel to each other. {Parallel columns}, or {Parallels} (Printing), two or more passages of reading matter printed side by side, for the purpose of emphasizing the similarity or discrepancy between them. {Parallel forces} (Mech.), forces which act in directions parallel to each other. {Parallel motion}.
(a) (Mach.) A jointed system of links, rods, or bars, by which the motion of a reciprocating piece, as a piston rod, may be guided, either approximately or exactly in a straight line. --Rankine.
(b) (Mus.) The ascending or descending of two or more parts at fixed intervals, as thirds or sixths. {Parallel rod} (Locomotive Eng.), a metal rod that connects the crank pins of two or more driving wheels; -- called also {couping rod}, in distinction from the connecting rod. See Illust. of {Locomotive}, in App. -- {Parallel ruler}, an instrument for drawing parallel lines, so constructed as to have the successive positions of the ruling edge parallel to each other; also, one consisting of two movable parts, the opposite edges of which are always parallel. {Parallel sailing} (Naut.), sailing on a parallel of latitude. {Parallel sphere} (Astron. & Geog.), that position of the sphere in which the circles of daily motion are parallel to the horizon, as to an observer at either pole. {Parallel vise}, a vise having jaws so guided as to remain parallel in all positions.
\Par"al*lel\, n. 1. A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc. Who made the spider parallels design, Sure as De Moivre, without rule or line ? --Pope. 2. Direction conformable to that of another line, Lines that from their parallel decline. --Garth. 3. Conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity. Twixt earthly females and the moon All parallels exactly run. --Swift. 4. A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope. 5. Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart. None but thyself can be thy parallel. --Pope. 6. (Geog.) 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. 7. (Mil.) 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. 8. (Print.) 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. {Limiting parallels}. See under {Limit}, v. t. {Parallel of altitude} (Astron.), one of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the horizon; an almucantar. {Parallel of declination} (Astron.), one of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the equator. {Parallel of latitude}.
(a) (Geog.) See def. 6. above.
(b) (Astron.) One of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the ecliptic.
\Par"al*lel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paralleled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Paralleling}.] 1. 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. The needle . . . doth parallel and place itself upon the true meridian. --Sir T. Browne. 2. Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like. His life is paralleled Even with the stroke and line of his great justice. --Shak. 3. To equal; to match; to correspond to. --Shak. 4. To produce or adduce as a parallel. [R.] --Locke. My young remembrance can not parallel A fellow to it. --Shak.
\Par"al*lel\, v. i. To be parallel; to correspond; to be like. [Obs.] --Bacon.

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