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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Parallel \Par"al*lel\, a. [F. parall[`e]le, L. parallelus, fr.
Gr. ?; para` 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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Note: 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 \Par"al*lel\, 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}.

Note: 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 \Par"al*lel\, 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 \Par"al*lel\, v. i.
To be parallel; to correspond; to be like. [Obs.] --Bacon.
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