Origin: 1500-1600 Modern Latin Greek parabole; ➔ PARABLE
math, geometry a curved shape formed by a plane (=flat surface) crossing through the side of a cone so that the distance from the curve to a fixed point inside the curve and the distance from the curve to the directrix (=line outside the curve) are always the same. A parabola looks like the curve that a ball makes when it is thrown high in the air and comes down a short distance away.—parabolic /ˌpærəˈbɑlɪk◂/ adjective: a parabolic curve → conic section