parabolic mirror

1. A concave mirror whose cross-section is shaped like the tip of a parabola. Most of the light, radio waves, sound, and other radiation that enter the mirror straight on is reflected by the surface and converges on the focus of the parabola, where being concentrated, it can be easily detected. Conversely, radiation emanating from the focal point reflects from the inner surface of the mirror into a fairly direct beam of nearly parallel radiation that can be aimed at a target. Parabolic mirrors are the basis of parabolic antennae and automobile headlights, as well as some megaphones and telescopic mirrors.

Example Sentences

You could not make out what it was, but I saw enough to convince me that it was a gigantic parabolic mirror.

From Project Gutenberg

And curving around on the far wall, like a huge parabolic mirror, was the Map.

From Project Gutenberg

The parabolic mirror will reflect the star to a perfect focus.

From Project Gutenberg

The cylinder contains a parabolic mirror in the back, a series of glass strips in the front, and two "carbons" in the middle.

From Project Gutenberg

The parabolic mirror has the property of rendering parallel, or nearly so, the rays from a light-source placed at its focus.

From Project Gutenberg