adjective

parabolic

pair-uh-BAH-lik/ˌpærəˈbɑːlɪk/

Having the shape or course of a parabola.

A parabolic curve rises symmetrically on the graph.

A clean symmetrical U-shaped parabola plotted on minimal perpendicular axes, no extra text.

Etymology

paraGreekalongside

+bolGreeka throwing

+icGreekpertaining to

“Throwing alongside” gave the idea of juxtaposition or comparison. The curve's name refers to the geometric “application” of a given area to a straight line, and parabolic describes that curve or its shape.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain12:34

Stone Falls to Earth in a parabolic curve I now ask do the positions traversed by the stone lie in reality on a straight line or on a parabola

1910s Physics Audiobook: Albert Einstein - Relativity

More examples

She plotted a parabolic curve on the graph.
The bridge design included a parabolic arch.
The reflector's parabolic shape directed the light forward.

Forms

parabolic

parabola noun — a particular symmetrical open curve

Similar words

curved: Curved is general; parabolic identifies a particular mathematical shape.
elliptical: Elliptical follows an ellipse; parabolic follows a parabola.