Webster's English Dictionary

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parabola

pa.rab.o.la \p*-'rab-*-l*\ \.par-*-'ba:l-ik\ n [NL, fr. Gk parabole-, lit., 
   comparison] 1: a plane curve generated by a point moving so that its 
   distance from a fi xed 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 a microphone)  - 
   par.a.bol.ic aj