Parabola (noun)

A symmetrical, U-shaped geometric curve, defined as the set of all points that are equidistant from a fixed point (the focus) and a fixed line (the directrix).

Origin:

Derived from the greek word "parabole" meaning "comparison, application", the word "parabola" came into use in the 16th century.

Examples:

1. The path of a projectile under the influence of gravity is a parabola.
2. Parabolas are often used to model the paths of objects in motion.
3. Parabolas have many applications in physics, engineering, and mathematics.
4. The equation of a parabola is of the form y = ax^2 + bx + c.
5. The vertex of a parabola is the lowest point of the parabola.