—adj.
1 a (of lines or planes) side by side and having the same distance continuously between them. b (foll. by to, with) (of a line or plane) having this relation (to another).
2 (of circumstances etc.) precisely similar, analogous, or corresponding.
3 a (of processes etc.) occurring or performed simultaneously. b Computing involving the simultaneous performance of operations.
—n.
1 a person or thing precisely analogous or equal to another.
2 a comparison (drew a parallel between the two situations).
3 (in full parallel of latitude) Geog. a each of the imaginary parallel circles of constant latitude on the earth's surface. b a corresponding line on a map (the 49th parallel).
4 Printing two parallel lines (ll) as a reference mark.
—v.tr. (paralleled, paralleling)
1 be parallel to; correspond to.
2 represent as similar; compare.
3 adduce as a parallel instance.
Phrases and idioms:
in parallel (of electric circuits) arranged so as to join at common points at each end. parallel bars a pair of parallel rails on posts for gymnastics.
Derivatives:
parallelism n.
Etymology: F parallegravele f. L parallelus f. Gk parallelos (as PARA-(1), allelos one another)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.