■ adjective
1》 (of lines, planes, or surfaces) side by side and having the same distance continuously between them.
2》 occurring or existing at the same time or in a similar way; corresponding.
↘ Computing involving the simultaneous performance of operations.
3》 of or denoting electrical components connected in ~.
■ noun
1》 a person or thing that is similar or analogous to another.
↘a similarity or comparison.
2》 (also ~ of latitude ) each of the imaginary ~ circles of constant latitude on the earth's surface.
3》 Printing two ~ lines (║) as a reference mark.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing , ~ed )
1》 run or lie ~ to.
2》 be similar or corresponding to.
Phrases
in ~
1》 taking place at the same time and having some connection.
2》 (of electrical components or circuits) connected to common points at each end, so that the current is divided between them.
Derivatives
~ism noun
~istic adjective
~ization or ~isation noun ( Computing ).
~ize or ~ise verb ( Computing ).
Origin
C16: from Fr. parallèle , via L. from Gk parallēlos , from para- 'alongside' + allēlos 'one another'.