a geometric surface whose sections parallel to two coordinate planes are parabolic and whose sections parallel to the third plane are either elliptical or hyperbolic. Equations x2/a2 ± y2/b2 = 2cz
Derived forms
paraboloidal (paˌraboˈloidal)
adjective
paraboloid in American English
(pəˈræbəˌlɔɪd)
noun
a surface or solid formed so that sections parallel to the plane of symmetry are parabolas and sections perpendicular to it are ellipses (elliptic paraboloid), hyperbolas (hyperbolic paraboloid), or circles (paraboloid of revolution)