parabolical
/,pærə'bɔlikəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having the form of a parabola: Relating to or shaped like a parabola, which is a symmetrical open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to its side.
- Resembling or expressed by parables: Of, relating to, or of the nature of a parable; using allegorical stories to convey a moral or spiritual lesson.
Usage Examples
Adjective (Geometric Form):
- The satellite dish has a distinct parabolical shape to focus signals.
- The architect designed a roof with a parabolical curve.
Adjective (Resembling a Parable):
- The teacher's parabolical tale about the ants and the grasshopper taught the children about hard work.
- His speech was not direct but parabolical, requiring interpretation to understand its deeper meaning.
Advanced Usage
- "In a parabolical sense": Understood metaphorically or allegorically, not literally.
- We must read this ancient text in a parabolical sense to grasp its wisdom.
Variants and Related Words
Parabolic (adj): The more common variant with identical meanings.
- The parabolic mirror concentrated sunlight.
- Jesus often taught in parabolic language.
Parabola (n): The geometric curve itself.
- The ball's trajectory described a perfect parabola.
Parable (n): A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
- The Good Samaritan is a famous parable.
Synonyms
- Allegorical: Representing abstract ideas through symbolic figures and actions.
- Metaphorical: Describing one thing in terms of another, suggesting a likeness.
- Curved: Having a smooth, bent shape (for the geometric sense).
- Arced: Forming a curve (for the geometric sense).
Antonyms
- Literal: Taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or allegory.
- Straight: Extending uniformly in one direction without a curve.
- Direct: Straightforward and clear in meaning.
Related Phrases
Parabolical reflector: A device with a parabolic shape used to collect or project energy (e.g., light, sound, radio waves).
- The telescope uses a large parabolical reflector to gather light from distant stars.
Speak in parabolical terms: To communicate using allegory or indirect storytelling.
- The philosopher preferred to speak in parabolical terms to provoke thought.
Adjective
- having the form of a parabola
- resembling or expressed by parables