An antenna reflector in the shape of a parabola. It converts spherical wavefronts from the radiating element into plane wavefronts. [ Antenna Dictionary

a concave reflector used to produce a parallel beam when the source is placed at its focus or to focus an incoming parallel beam

A portable, disk-like device used to gather, magnify, and focus the sounds of birds and other organisms for the purpose of making high-quality, electronic recordings. Sound technicians, when making the Purple Martin dawnsong recordings, used a state-of-the-art DAT tape recorder equipped with a parabolic microphone.

A lighting distribution control device that is designed to redirect the light from an HID lamp in a specific direction. In most applications, the parabolic device directs light down and away from the direct glare zone.

See Par.