PAR'ALLEL, adjective [Gr. against or opposite, and one the other.]

1. In geometry, extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant. One body or line is parallel to another, when the surfaces of the bodies or the lines are at an equal distance throughout the whole length.

2. Having the same direction or tendency; running in accordance with something.

When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and our country, it cannot be too much cherished.

3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; like; similar; equal in all essential parts; as a parallel case; a parallel passage in the evangelists.

PAR'ALLEL, noun A line which throughout its whole extent is equidistant from another line; as parallels of latitude.

Who made the spider parallels design,

Sure as De Moivre without rule or line?

1. A line on the globe marking the latitude.

2. Direction conformable to that of another line.

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

'Twixt earthly females and the moon,

All parallels exactly run.

4. Comparison made; as, to draw a parallel between two characters.

5. Any thing equal to or resembling another in all essential particulars.

None but thyself can be thy parallel

PAR'ALLEL, verb transitive To place so as to keep the same direction, and at an equal distance from something else.

1. To level; to equal.

2. To correspond to.

3. To be equal to; to resemble in all essential points.

4. To compare.