What does parabole mean?
Parabole is a specialist term from rhetoric for a comparison in which several terms are set beside one another in a series, often in descending order. Its purpose is to make the relationship between those terms more vivid or to emphasize differences in their force, importance, or significance. The term is much less common than simile, analogy, or metaphor and is mainly encountered in literary criticism, classical rhetoric, and formal discussions of figures of speech. A writer might use a parabole when an argument depends on a progression—for example, arranging several qualities from the strongest to the weakest or tracing a sequence of related effects. Although parabole shares its historical roots with parabola and related mathematical vocabulary, its rhetorical use concerns the arrangement of language and ideas rather than a geometric curve. It should also not be confused with a parable, which is a short illustrative story conveying a moral or spiritual lesson.
nounA rhetorical comparison in which two or more terms are placed in a series, often in descending order of force or significance, to show their relationship.
- A rhetorical comparison that arranges terms in a series, often in descending order, to emphasize their relative force or significance.
"In her closing argument, the lawyer used a parabole to arrange wealth, status, and character in a descending order."
"The essay's final parabole compares the growth of a career to the stages of a person's life."
"Her argument used a parabole in which each successive term seemed weaker than the one before it."
The plural is used when referring to multiple rhetorical comparisons of this kind.
"The chapter analyzes several paraboles used in classical political speeches."
Parabole entered English from the Greek word for comparison, literally a throwing side by side—language suited to a device that lines ideas up for comparison.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of parabole
The word comes from Greek parabolē, meaning a comparison or analogy, from paraballein, meaning to compare or place side by side. That Greek verb was formed from para-, meaning beside, and ballein, meaning to throw. The same ancient root also underlies words including parabola, hyperbole, and symbol.
How parabole is actually used
This is a formal, specialized term used chiefly in rhetoric, literary criticism, and the discussion of classical figures of speech. It is uncommon in everyday English.
Easily confused with parabole
A parabole is a rhetorical comparison, whereas a parable is a short story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson.
A parabole is a rhetorical device, while a parabola is a mathematical curve consisting of points equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed line.