Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Parallel \Par"al*lel\, n. (Elec.)
   That arrangement of an electrical system in which all
   positive poles, electrodes, terminals, etc., are joined to
   one conductor, and all negative poles, etc., to another
   conductor; -- called also {multiple}. Opposed to {series}.

   Note: Parts of a system so arranged are said to be in
         parallel or in multiple.

Parallel \Par"al*lel\, a. [F. parall[`e]le, L. parallelus, fr.
   Gr. ?; ? beside + ? of one another, fr. ? other, akin to L.
   alius. See {Allien}.]
   1. (Geom.) Extended in the same direction, and in all parts
      equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes.

            Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial.
                                                  --Hakluyt.

   Note: Curved lines or curved planes are said to be parallel
         when they are in all parts equally distant.

   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.

            When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and
            our country, it can not be too much cherished.
                                                  --Addison.

   3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars;
      applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a
      parallel case; a parallel passage. --Addison.

   {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.

Parallel \Par"al*lel\, v. i.
   To be parallel; to correspond; to be like. [Obs.] --Bacon.

Parallel \Par"al*lel\, n.
   1. A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant
      from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc.

            Who made the spider parallels design, Sure as De
            Moivre, without rule or line ?        --Pope.

   2. Direction conformable to that of another line,

            Lines that from their parallel decline. --Garth.

   3. Conformity continued through many particulars or in all
      essential points; resemblance; similarity.

            Twixt earthly females and the moon All parallels
            exactly run.                          --Swift.

   4. A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as,
      Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope.

   5. Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential
      particulars; a counterpart.

            None but thyself can be thy parallel. --Pope.

   6. (Geog.) One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the
      earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude;
      also, the corresponding line on a globe or map.

   7. (Mil.) One of a series of long trenches constructed before
      a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover
      for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are
      roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the
      fortress.

   8. (Print.) A character consisting of two parallel vertical
      lines (thus, ||) used in the text to direct attention to a
      similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a
      page.

   {Limiting parallels}. See under {Limit}, v. t.

   {Parallel of altitude} (Astron.), one of the small circles of
      the sphere, parallel to the horizon; an almucantar.

   {Parallel of declination} (Astron.), one of the small circles
      of the sphere, parallel to the equator.

   {Parallel of latitude}.
      (a) (Geog.) See def. 6. above.
      (b) (Astron.) One of the small circles of the sphere,
          parallel to the ecliptic.

Parallel \Par"al*lel\, 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.

            The needle . . . doth parallel and place itself upon
            the true meridian.                    --Sir T.
                                                  Browne.

   2. Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character,
      motive, aim, or the like.

            His life is paralleled Even with the stroke and line
            of his great justice.                 --Shak.

   3. To equal; to match; to correspond to. --Shak.

   4. To produce or adduce as a parallel. [R.] --Locke.

            My young remembrance can not parallel A fellow to
            it.                                   --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

parallel
     v 1: be parallel to; "Their roles are paralleled by ours"
     2: make or place parallel to something; "They paralleled the
        ditch to the highway" [syn: {collimate}]
     3: duplicate or match; "The polished surface twinned his face
        and chest in reverse" [syn: {twin}, {duplicate}]
     [also: {parallelling}, {parallelled}]

parallel
     n 1: something having the property of being analogous to
          something else [syn: {analogue}, {analog}]
     2: an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
        [syn: {latitude}, {line of latitude}, {parallel of
        latitude}]
     [also: {parallelling}, {parallelled}]

parallel
     adj 1: being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting; "parallel
            lines never converge"; "concentric circles are
            parallel"; "dancers in two parallel rows" [ant: {perpendicular},
             {oblique}]
     2: of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple
        operations; "parallel processing"
     [also: {parallelling}, {parallelled}]