para-

para-

(word root) close, beside

Examples of words with the root para-: parallel, paradox, parapsychology

para- ¹

or par-

pref.

1. Beside; near; alongside: parathyroid.

2. Beyond: paranormal.

3. Incorrect; abnormal: paresthesia.

4. Similar to; resembling: paratyphoid fever.

5. Subsidiary; assistant: paraprofessional.

6. Isomeric; polymeric: paraldehyde.

7. Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by two unsubstituted carbon atoms: para-aminobenzoic acid.

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[Greek, from para, beside; see per in Indo-European roots.]

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para- ²

pref.

Parachute; parachutist: paratroops.

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[From parachute.]

para-

or before a vowel

par-

prefix

1. beside; near: parameter; parathyroid.

2. beyond: parapsychology.

3. resembling: paramnesia.

4. defective; abnormal: paraesthesia.

5. subsidiary to: paraphysis.

6. (Chemistry) (usually in italics) denoting that an organic compound contains a benzene ring with substituents attached to atoms that are directly opposite across the ring (the 1,4- positions): paradinitrobenzene; para-cresol. Abbreviation: p- Compare ortho-⁴, meta-⁴

7. (Chemistry) denoting an isomer, polymer, or compound related to a specified compound: paraldehyde; paracasein.

8. (Chemistry) denoting the form of a diatomic substance in which the spins of the two constituent atoms are antiparallel: parahydrogen. Compare ortho-⁶

[from Greek para (prep) alongside, beyond]

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para-

combining form

indicating an object that acts as a protection against something: parachute; parasol.

[via French from Italian para-, from parare to defend, shield against, ultimately from Latin parāre to prepare]

pa•ra¹

(pɑˈrɑ, ˈpɑr ɑ)

n., pl. -ras, -ra.

a monetary unit of Yugoslavia, equal to 1/100 of a dinar.

[1680–90; < Turkish < Persian pāra literally, piece]

par•a³

(ˈpær ə)

adj.

pertaining to or occupying two positions (1, 4) in the benzene ring that are separated by two carbon atoms. Abbr.: p- Compare ortho, meta.

par•a⁴

(ˈpær ə)

n., pl. par•as. Informal.

1. paraprofessional.

2. paratrooper.

par•a⁵

(ˈpær ə)

n., pl. par•as, par•ae (ˈpær i)

1. Also called parity. a woman's status regarding the bearing of offspring: usu. followed by a numeral designating the number of times the woman has given birth.

2. the woman herself. Compare gravida.

[1880–85; extracted from primipara, multipara, etc.]

Pa•rá

(pəˈrɑ)

n.

1. a state in N Brazil. 5,522,783; 481,869 sq. mi. (1,248,042 sq. km). Cap.: Belém.

2. a river in N Brazil: the S estuary of the Amazon. 200 mi. (320 km) long.

3. Pará rubber.

para-¹

,

1. a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, with the meanings “at or to one side of, beside, side by side” (parabola; paragraph), “beyond, past, by” (paradox); by extension designating objects or activities auxiliary to or derivative of that denoted by the base word (parody; paronomasia), and hence abnormal or defective (paranoia). As an English prefix, para-¹ is also productive in the naming of occupational roles considered ancillary or subsidiary to roles requiring more training, or of a higher status: paralegal; paraprofessional.

2. a combining form used in the names of benzene derivatives in which the substituting group occupies the para position in the benzene ring. Abbr.: p-

Also, esp. before a vowel, par-.

[< Greek para-, comb. form representing pará (preposition) beside, alongside of, by, beyond]

para-²

,

a combining form meaning “guard against”: parachute; parasol.

[< French < Italian para, 3d singular present of parare to prepare against, ward off < Latin parāre to prepare]

para-³

,

a combining form extracted from parachute, forming compounds denoting persons or things utilizing parachutes or landed by parachute: paratrooper.

Para.

Paraguay.