An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A plain curve obtained by slicing a cone with a plane parallel to one side of the cone. A parabola can be considered an ellipse with an infinite major axis. It is one of the types of conic sections.

Etymology (EN): N.L., from Gk. parabole “comparison, application,” literally “a throwing beside,” from → para- + bole “throwing,” related to ballein “to throw.”

Etymology (PE): Sahmi, of unknown origin.