Figure in bible story briefly touring old area (8)

I believe the answer is:

parabola

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'figure' is the definition.
(I know that parabola is a type of conic)

'in bible story briefly touring old area' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'bible story' becomes 'parable' (I've seen this before).
'briefly' means to remove the last letter.
'touring old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English. I am not sure about the 'touring' bit.).
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'parable' with its last letter taken away is 'parabl'.
'parabl' placed around 'o' is 'parabol'.
'parabol'+'a'='PARABOLA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for parabola that I've seen before include "Conic section" , "Symmetrical curve" , "It looks like something may be thrown" , "(Mathematical) curve" , "Type of curve" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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