para-

I

1) cvb 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[/ex]

2) chem. 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- Etymology: < Gk para-, comb. form repr. pará (prep.) beside, alongside of, by, beyond II

para-

aff. a combining form meaning “guard against”:

parachute; parasol[/ex]

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Etymology: < F < It para, 3d sing. pres. of parare to prepare against, ward off < L parāre to prepare III

para-

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

paratrooper[/ex]