antiparallel
|an-ti-par-al-lel|
/ˌæn.tiˈpær.ə.ləl/
parallel but opposite direction
Etymology
'antiparallel' is a compound formed from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against' and English 'parallel' (from Greek 'parallēlos').
'parallel' comes from Greek 'parallēlos' (from 'para-' meaning 'beside' + 'allēl(os)' meaning 'one another'), entered Latin and then Middle English; 'antiparallel' is a more recent compound formed in modern English by prefixing Greek 'anti-' to 'parallel.'
Originally described as 'against parallel' in formation, its meaning settled to denote elements that are parallel in position but opposite in direction; this technical sense has remained stable.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an arrangement in which two elements are antiparallel (i.e., parallel in position but opposite in direction).
The engineer examined the antiparallel of the two conductors to ensure correct current flow.
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Adjective 1
oriented in opposite directions while remaining parallel in position; used of lines, strands, or arrangements (e.g., the two DNA strands run antiparallel).
The two DNA strands are antiparallel, running in opposite directions along the double helix.
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Last updated: 2025/09/06 00:26