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Parallel (?), a. [F. parallèle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. ; παρά beside + of one another, fr. other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.]
1. (Geom.) Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, “parallel lines; parallel planes.”
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Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial. Hakluyt.
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☞ Curved lines or curved planes are said to be parallel when they are in all parts equally distant.
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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.
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When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and our country, it can not be too much cherished. Addison.
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3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, “a parallel case; a parallel passage.” Addison.
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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.
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Parallel (?), n.
1. A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc.
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Who made the spider parallels design,
Sure as De Moivre, without rule or line ? Pope.
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2. Direction conformable to that of another line,
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Lines that from their parallel decline. Garth.
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3. Conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity.
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Twixt earthly females and the moon
All parallels exactly run. Swift.
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4. A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, “Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope”.
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5. Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart.
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None but thyself can be thy parallel. Pope.
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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; as, “the counry was divided into North and South at the 38th parallel”.
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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.
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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.
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9. (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.
☞ Parts of a system so arranged are said to be in parallel or in multiple.
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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.
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Parallel, 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.
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The needle . . . doth parallel and place itself upon the true meridian. Sir T. Browne.
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2. Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like.
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His life is paralleled
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice. Shak.
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3. To equal; to match; to correspond to. Shak.
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4. To produce or adduce as a parallel. [R.] Locke.
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My young remembrance can not parallel
A fellow to it. Shak.
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Parallel, v. i. To be parallel; to correspond; to be like. [Obs.] Bacon.
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