Parabolic
adjective
Related to or resembling a curve shape that can be seen when something is thrown in the air.
The basketball player threw the ball in a perfect parabolic trajectory.
Often appears as...
- parabolic curve
- parabolic mirror
adjective
Describing a mathematical line or shape that curves like the path of something thrown into the air and falling back down.
The graph of a quadratic equation results in a parabolic shape.
Often appears as...
- parabolic equation
- parabolic formula
Usage tips
Approving
Academic
adjective
Related to a type of mirror or antenna that is curved and is used to focus signals in one direction.
Large radio telescopes use parabolic antennas.
Often appears as...
- parabolic reflector
- parabolic disk
Usage tips
Approving
Technical
adjective
Related to or resembling a curve shape that can be seen when something is thrown in the air.
The basketball player threw the ball in a perfect parabolic trajectory.
Often appears as...
- parabolic curve
- parabolic mirror
adjective
Describing a mathematical line or shape that curves like the path of something thrown into the air and falling back down.
The graph of a quadratic equation results in a parabolic shape.
Often appears as...
- parabolic equation
- parabolic formula
Usage tips
Approving
Academic
adjective
Related to a type of mirror or antenna that is curved and is used to focus signals in one direction.
Large radio telescopes use parabolic antennas.
Often appears as...
- parabolic reflector
- parabolic disk
Usage tips
Approving
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Visual Imagery
Think of a thrown ball's arc for the curve described by 'parabolic'.
She sketched a parabolic shape, similar to a ball's ascent and descent.
Pro Tip 2/3Use In Motion
'Parabolic' is often used to describe the motion in sports or physics.
The skier launched off the ramp in a parabolic flight.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Usage
Metaphorically, it can describe situations that rise and fall rapidly.
His emotions followed a parabolic path after the news.
Pro Tip 1/3Visual Imagery
Think of a thrown ball's arc for the curve described by 'parabolic'.
She sketched a parabolic shape, similar to a ball's ascent and descent.
Pro Tip 2/3Use In Motion
'Parabolic' is often used to describe the motion in sports or physics.
The skier launched off the ramp in a parabolic flight.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Usage
Metaphorically, it can describe situations that rise and fall rapidly.
His emotions followed a parabolic path after the news.
Pro Tip 1/3Visual Imagery
Think of a thrown ball's arc for the curve described by 'parabolic'.
She sketched a parabolic shape, similar to a ball's ascent and descent.
Pro Tip 2/3Use In Motion
'Parabolic' is often used to describe the motion in sports or physics.
The skier launched off the ramp in a parabolic flight.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Usage
Metaphorically, it can describe situations that rise and fall rapidly.
His emotions followed a parabolic path after the news.
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Video examples
Martine Rothblatt: My...
the consequence of which was that the receiving antennas could be smaller and smaller, and after going through direct television broadcasting, I had the idea that if we could make a more powerful satellite, the receiving dish could be so small that it would just be a section of a parabolic dish,
Video examples
Made in Space: 3-D...
parabolic flights and you know when we first my first saw the results of our work I was really I was really happy because we built something that not only function but now function in the environment we wanted to function and a lot of people always say you know oh I'm
Video examples
What’s the difference...
or use gravity to shed light on the parabolic trajectory of a baseball. In simplest terms, a law predicts what happens while a theory proposes why.
Video examples
Martine Rothblatt: My...
the consequence of which was that the receiving antennas could be smaller and smaller, and after going through direct television broadcasting, I had the idea that if we could make a more powerful satellite, the receiving dish could be so small that it would just be a section of a parabolic dish,
Video examples
Made in Space: 3-D...
parabolic flights and you know when we first my first saw the results of our work I was really I was really happy because we built something that not only function but now function in the environment we wanted to function and a lot of people always say you know oh I'm
Video examples
What’s the difference...
or use gravity to shed light on the parabolic trajectory of a baseball. In simplest terms, a law predicts what happens while a theory proposes why.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
John Lahr
American Critic
Like the tail fins on fifties American cars or the parabolic shapes of Populuxe furniture, 'West Side Story' incarnates the dream of momentum in the golden age of the twentieth century.
Quote examples
John Lahr
American Critic
Like the tail fins on fifties American cars or the parabolic shapes of Populuxe furniture, 'West Side Story' incarnates the dream of momentum in the golden age of the twentieth century.
Example 1 of 1
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