A universe or space-time continuum that exists alongside ours, and which may possess different physical laws or a different history. Also used fig. Compare parallel world.
- 1923 H.G. Wells Men like Gods № 55: We conceive ourselves to be living in a parallel universe to yours, on a planet the very brother of your own.
- 1968: see quote in alternate world.
- 1992 P. David Imzadi № 25: It's something that has been considered [...] that parallel universes are, in fact, alternative time tracks.
- 1994 Interzone (Jan.) № 10/2: Don't tell me you don't get it! Look, I'm an alternate you from a parallel universe, capeche?
- 2001 M. Azerrad Our Band Could Be Your Life № 190: It was definitely a parallel universe, [...] a subculture that had no mainstream intentions at all.
- 2002 Scientific American (Mar.) № 26/2: Another brane — a parallel universe — resides a subsubatomic distance away.
