Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Parabolic \Par`a*bol"ic\, Parabolical \Par`a*bol"ic*al\, a. [Gr.
   paraboliko`s figurative: cf. F. parabolique. See {Parable}.]
   1. Of the nature of a parable; expressed by a parable or
      figure; allegorical; as, parabolical instruction.

   2. [From {Parabola}.] (Geom.)
      (a) Having the form or nature of a parabola; pertaining
          to, or resembling, a parabola; as, a parabolic curve.
      (b) Generated by the revolution of a parabola, or by a
          line that moves on a parabola as a directing curve;
          as, a parabolic conoid.

   {Parabolic conoid}, a paraboloid; a conoid whose directing
      curve is a parabola. See {Conoid}.

   {Parabolic mirror} (Opt.), a mirror having a paraboloidal
      surface which gives for parallel rays (as those from very
      distant objects) images free from aberration. It is used
      in reflecting telescopes.

   {Parabolic spindle}, the solid generated by revolving the
      portion of a parabola cut off by a line drawn at right
      angles to the axis of the curve, about that line as an
      axis.

   {Parabolic spiral}, a spiral curve conceived to be formed by
      the periphery of a semiparabola when its axis is wrapped
      about a circle; also, any other spiral curve having an
      analogy to the parabola.