- parallel
- parallel [par′ə lel΄, par′ələl]adj.[Fr parallèle < L parallelus < Gr parallēlos < para-, side by side (see PARA-1) + allēlos, one another < allos, other: see ELSE]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.3.a) closely similar or corresponding, as in purpose, tendency, time, or essential partsb) 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.a) of or for the transmission of data, by means of several wires, a byte or more at a time [a parallel port]b) having to do with the performing of multiple operations simultaneously [parallel processing]: cf. SERIAL, adj. 55. Elec. designating or of a circuit in parallel6. Music having consistently equal intervals in pitch, as two parts of harmony, a series of chords, etc.adv.in a parallel mannern.1. something parallel to something else, as a line or surface2. any person or thing essentially the same as, or closely corresponding to, another; counterpart3. the condition of being parallel; conformity in essential points4. any comparison showing the existence of similarity or likeness5.a) any of the imaginary lines parallel to the equator and representing degrees of latitude on the earth's surfaceb) such a line drawn on a map or globe: see6. LATITUDE: in full parallel of latitude7. [pl.] a sign (∥) used in printing as a reference mark8. 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: cf. SERIES (sense 5)vt.paralleled or parallelled, paralleling or parallelling1.a) to make (one thing) parallel to anotherb) to make parallel to each other2. 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 likeness4. to be or find a counterpart for; match; equal
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.
