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Glite Dictionary
paraboloidal

paraboloidal

9.9
A curved 3D shape like a satellite dish that brings light or signals to one point
  • adjective
  • /ˌpærəˈboʊlɔɪdəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : paraboloidal
  • The architect proposed a building with a paraboloidal roof to enhance the aesthetic appeal.

Examples

  • The satellite dish was designed with a paraboloidal shape to receive signals more effectively.

  • The Mark V, scientists and engineers in Germany, were developing an ingenious new design for a 100-meter (330-foot) telescope that could retain a paraboloidal shape accurate to 1 millimeter for any position of elevation.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Because we had plane waves coming into the paraboloidal reflector and ellipsoidal refractor respectively.

  • In physics class, we studied how the paraboloidal structure of a mirror can focus light to a single point.

Surface Forms

paraboloidal positive

Morphology

paraboloidal = paraboloid (transparent) = paraboloid + al

The adjective is a straightforward formation from the noun 'paraboloid' plus the adjectival suffix '-al'.

Etymology

Paraboloidal comes from the word parabola, itself from a Greek word meaning 'to place beside' and shared with parable, a short story. So, imagine a curved bowl that brings all light or signals to one point, and you will see why paraboloidal means 'shaped like a parabola' and is used for mirrors and satellite dishes that focus things.