Parallel (?), a. [F. parallèle, L. parallelus, fr. Gr. &unr_;; para beside + &unr_; of one another, fr. &unr_; other, akin to L. alius. See Alien.] 1. (Geom.) Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes.
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Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial. Hakluyt.
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&hand_; Curved lines or curved planes are said to be parallel when they are in all parts equally distant.
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2. Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; -- used with to and with.
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When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and our country, it can not be too much cherished. Addison.
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3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage. Addison.
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Parallel bar. (a) (Steam Eng.) A rod in a parallel motion which is parallel with the working beam. (b) One of a pair of bars raised about five feet above the floor or ground, and parallel to each other, -- used for gymnastic exercises. -- Parallel circles of a sphere, those circles of the sphere whose planes are parallel to each other. -- Parallel columns, or Parallels (Printing), two or more passages of reading matter printed side by side, for the purpose of emphasizing the similarity or discrepancy between them. -- Parallel forces (Mech.), forces which act in directions parallel to each other. -- Parallel motion. (a) (Mach.) A jointed system of links, rods, or bars, by which the motion of a reciprocating piece, as a piston rod, may be guided, either approximately or exactly in a straight line. Rankine. (b) (Mus.) The ascending or descending of two or more parts at fixed intervals, as thirds or sixths. -- Parallel rod (Locomotive Eng.), a metal rod that connects the crank pins of two or more driving wheels; -- called also couping rod, in distinction from the connecting rod. See Illust. of Locomotive, in App. -- Parallel ruler, an instrument for drawing parallel lines, so constructed as to have the successive positions of the ruling edge parallel to each other; also, one consisting of two movable parts, the opposite edges of which are always parallel. -- Parallel sailing (Naut.), sailing on a parallel of latitude. -- Parallel sphere (Astron. & Geog.), that position of the sphere in which the circles of daily motion are parallel to the horizon, as to an observer at either pole. -- Parallel vise, a vise having jaws so guided as to remain parallel in all positions.
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Parallel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paralleled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paralleling (?).] 1. To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something else.
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The needle . . . doth parallel and place itself upon the true meridian. Sir T. Browne.
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2. Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like.
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His life is paralleled
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice. Shak.
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3. To equal; to match; to correspond to. Shak.
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4. To produce or adduce as a parallel. [R.] Locke.
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My young remembrance can not parallel
A fellow to it. Shak.
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