2 N‑COUNT If there are parallels between two things, they are similar in some ways. □ Detailed study of folk music from a variety of countries reveals many close parallels. □ [+ between ] Friends of the dead lawyer were quick to draw a parallel between the two murders. [Also + to/with ]
3 VERB If one thing parallels another, they happen at the same time or are similar, and often seem to be connected. □ [V n] Often there are emotional reasons paralleling the financial ones. □ [V n] His remarks paralleled those of the president.
4 ADJ Parallel events or situations happen at the same time as one another, or are similar to one another. □ …parallel talks between the two countries' Foreign Ministers. □ [+ with ] Their instincts do not always run parallel with ours. [Also + to ]
5 ADJ If two lines, two objects, or two lines of movement are parallel , they are the same distance apart along their whole length. □ …seventy-two ships, drawn up in two parallel lines. □ [+ with ] Farthing Lane's just above the High Street and parallel with it. [Also + to ]
6 N‑COUNT A parallel is an imaginary line round the Earth that is parallel to the equator. Parallels are shown on maps. □ …the area south of the 38th parallel.
7 PHRASE Something that occurs in parallel with something else occurs at the same time as it. □ [+ with ] Davies has managed to pursue his diverse interests in parallel with his fast-moving career. [Also + to ]
pa r|al|lel ba rs N‑PLURAL Parallel bars consist of a pair of horizontal bars on posts, which are used for doing physical exercises.
par|al|lel|ism /pæ rəlel I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT When there is parallelism between two things, there are similarities between them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ between ] The last thing we should do is make any parallelism between the murderers and their victims.
par|al|lelo|gram /pæ rəle ləgræm/ (parallelograms ) N‑COUNT A parallelogram is a four-sided shape in which each side is parallel to the side opposite it.
pa r|al|lel pa rk (parallel parks , parallel parking , parallel parked ) VERB If you parallel park a vehicle or parallel park somewhere, you drive the vehicle into a position behind another vehicle in order to park it there. □ Sit back, relax and let your car parallel park itself.
pa r|al|lel pro |cess|ing N‑UNCOUNT In computing, parallel processing is a system in which several instructions are carried out at the same time instead of one after the other. [COMPUTING ]
para|lyse /pæ rəla I z/ (paralyses , paralysing , paralysed ) in AM, use paralyze 1 VERB If someone is paralysed by an accident or an illness, they have no feeling in their body, or in part of their body, and are unable to move. □ [be V -ed] Her married sister had been paralysed in a road accident. □ [V n] …a virus which paralysed his legs. ● para|lysed ADJ □ The disease left him with a paralysed right arm.
2 VERB If a person, place, or organization is paralysed by something, they become unable to act or function properly. □ [be V -ed] For weeks now the government has been paralysed by indecision. □ [V n] The strike has virtually paralysed the island. ● para|lysed ADJ □ [+ with ] He was absolutely paralysed with shock. ● para|lys|ing ADJ [ADJ n] □ …paralysing shyness.
pa|raly|sis /pəræ ləs I s/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move and feel in all or part of your body. □ [+ of ] …paralysis of the leg.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Paralysis is the state of being unable to act or function properly. □ [+ of ] The paralysis of the leadership leaves the army without its supreme command.
para|lyt|ic /pæ rəl I t I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Paralytic means suffering from or related to paralysis. □ …paralytic disease.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is paralytic is very drunk. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ By the end of the evening they were all absolutely paralytic.
para|med|ic /pæ rəme d I k, [AM ] -med I k/ (paramedics ) N‑COUNT A paramedic is a person whose training is similar to that of a nurse and who helps to do medical work. □ We intend to have a paramedic on every ambulance within the next three years.
para|medi|cal /pæ rəme d I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Paramedical workers and services help doctors and nurses in medical work. □ …doctors and paramedical staff.
pa|ram|eter /pəræ m I tə r / (parameters ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Parameters are factors or limits which affect the way that something can be done or made. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] That would be enough to make sure we fell within the parameters of our loan agreement.
para|mili|tary /pæ rəm I l I tri, [AM ] -teri/ (paramilitaries )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A paramilitary organization is organized like an army and performs either civil or military functions in a country. □ Searches by the army and paramilitary forces have continued today. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Paramilitaries are members of a paramilitary organization. □ Paramilitaries and army recruits patrolled the village.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A paramilitary organization is an illegal group that is organized like an army. □ …a law which said that all paramilitary groups must be disarmed. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Paramilitaries are members of an illegal paramilitary organization. □ Loyalist paramilitaries were blamed for the shooting.