paralleelsest

Paralleelsest is not a standard entry in Norwegian dictionaries; it is most likely a misspelling or nonstandard variant of parallellest, the superlative form of the adjective parallell meaning parallel. In correct usage, parallell describes lines, surfaces or directions that run in the same orientation and never meet, and the comparative and superlative forms are parallellere and parallellest.

The etymology of parallell traces back to the Latin and Greek roots for “beside” and “along,” with the form entering Norwegian via French parallele or related Latin terms. The word is used in geometry, architecture, design and surveying to discuss the degree of alignment or sameness of direction among elements.

Usage and notes: In Norwegian, comparable and superlative forms are typically used to compare how parallel several lines or features are. The standard, correct superlative is parallellest. The sequence parallell, parallellere, parallellest is common in formal and technical writing. The form paralleelsest is generally considered a nonstandard variant and should be avoided in precise texts. In practice, one may describe “the most parallel” lines as the ones with the highest degree of alignment in direction, or more simply say “the most parallel” among a set.

Examples: Among several line segments, the parallellest ones have the smallest angular deviation from a common direction. For flat surfaces, the parallellest edges run in the same orientation across the plan.

See also: parallell, parallellisme, parallelisme, geometry.