PARSEC • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Parsec

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/pˈɑrsˌɛk/ Listen

noun

parsec n. (Astron.) A unit of length used in describing astronomical distances, equal to 3.26 light years, or 3.086 x 1013 km. Abbreviated pc. The derived units of kiloparsec (kpc, 1000 parsecs) and megaparsec (mpc, one million parsecs) are often found in discussion of astronomical distances.

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Etymology of 'Parsec'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Parsec" Quotes from Famous Books

... tucked the disc back into his pouch, "sent them off vector a parsec or two. Grange is not one of the strong arm blaster boys. Suppose Tang Ya does a little listening in—and maybe we can rig another surprise if Grange does try to ask advice of someone off world. In the meantime I don't think they are going to meddle with ...

— Plague Ship • Andre Norton

... Seaton. "Those torpedoes went home, fast. I want to know how far they have to go and how long it'll take them to get there. You know what distance a parsec is, since it is purely a mathematical concept; and you must have a watch or some similar instrument with which we can translate your years into ours. I don't want to have to kill you, fellow, and if you'll give up ...

— Skylark Three • Edward Elmer Smith