parabola
UK: pəˈræb.əl.ə | US: pəˈræb.əl.ə
n. a symmetrical open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to its side (geometry)
n. a parabolic trajectory or path (physics)
parabola = para<beside> + bol<throw> + a<noun suffix>
- para<beside>: From Greek para- ("beside, alongside").
- bol<throw>: From Greek bolē ("a throw"), derived from ballein ("to throw").
- a<noun suffix>: A common Greek nominal suffix.
Etymology Origin:
The word parabola originates from Greek parabolē ("comparison, analogy"), derived from para- ("beside") + bolē ("throw"). In geometry, it was named by Apollonius of Perga (3rd century BCE) to describe the curve formed by "throwing" (projecting) a plane parallel to a cone's side. The logic reflects the curve's resemblance to the path of a thrown object under gravity—later formalized in physics as a parabolic trajectory.
The ball followed a perfect parabola as it arced through the air.
In algebra, we learned to graph quadratic equations as parabolas.
The satellite's orbit was adjusted to a parabolic escape trajectory.
Ancient mathematicians studied the properties of the parabola extensively.
The bridge's cables form a parabola to distribute weight evenly.