Definition of the word parallel

The word "parallel" originates from the mid-16th century Latin phrase "parallēlēs," meaning "beside one another." This Latin phrase is a combination of "par" (beside) and "allēlēs" (each other). The Latin phrase was used to describe lines or planes that run alongside each other, but do not intersect. The word "parallel" was first used in English in the 1570s to describe geometric shapes that have the same distance from each other at all points. Over time, the concept of parallelism expanded to other areas, including navigation, astronomy, and even philosophers' ideas. Today, we use "parallel" to describe not only geometric shapes but also parallel universes, parallel timelines, and even parallel careers!