parabola

pa·rab·o·la

noun \pə-ˈra-bə-lə\

Definition of PARABOLA

1

: a plane curve generated by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line : the intersection of a right circular cone with a plane parallel to an element of the cone

2

: something bowl-shaped (as an antenna or microphone reflector)

Illustration of PARABOLA

Origin of PARABOLA

New Latin, from Greek parabolē, literally, comparison

First Known Use: 1579

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb