parabolic (adj.)

mid-15c., parabolik, "figurative, allegorical, of or pertaining to a parable or a parabole," from Medieval Latin parabolicus, from late Greek parabolikos "figurative," from parabolē "comparison" (see parable). In geometry, "of or pertaining to a parabola," by 1702 (see parabola). Related: Parabolical.