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.