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unparallel

unparallel

1 7.5
Not going in the same direction or staying the same distance apart
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈpɛrəl/
: no paralelo
  • The two roads are unparallel, diverging sharply as they approach the mountain.

Examples

  • These two lines on the graph are unparallel and do not intersect at any point.

  • The consequences of such an unparallel proximity could be... anything.

  • The artist's style is unparallel to any other, making her work truly unique.

Synonyms

nonparallel
vsunparallel
1 6.1

Lines, paths, or surfaces that do not stay the same distance apart

describes lines or surfaces whose direction or spacing change along their length

Antonyms

parallel
  • Specialized
65 3.2

Lines, planes, or flat surfaces that stay the same distance apart and never meet

Surface Forms

unparallel positive
unparalleled comparative

Morphology

unparallel = parallel (transparent) = un + parallel

A straightforward negation: the productive prefix 'un-' added to the adjective 'parallel' yields the clear meaning 'not parallel'.

Etymology

Unparallel begins with un- meaning 'not' and the rest is parallel, which means 'side by side'. Imagine two lines or train tracks that do not stay the same distance apart — they are unparallel, so the word means 'not parallel'.