Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Nearby Entries
Definition of Parachute - 4 dictionary results
Skydive in Wine Country
Sonoma County near San Francisco, great views, professional staff
www.NorCalSkydiving.com
Skydiving in San Diego
Scenic flights over the ocean with every tandem jump. 120 mph freefall
www.PCSkydiving.com
Skydiving in California
Best Prices & Learn to Sky dive Great Gift Idea! Call 661-765-5867
www.skydivetaft.com

par⋅a⋅chute

  [par-uh-shoot] noun, verb, -chut⋅ed, -chut⋅ing.
Use Parachute in a Sentence
–noun
1. a folding, umbrellalike, fabric device with cords supporting a harness or straps for allowing a person, object, package, etc., to float down safely through the air from a great height, esp. from an aircraft, rendered effective by the resistance of the air that expands it during the descent and reduces the velocity of its fall.
2. parachute brake.
3. Horology. a shockproofing device for the balance staff of a watch, consisting of a yielding, springlike support for the bearing at either end.
4. Informal.
a. the aggregate of benefits, as severance pay or vacation pay, given an employee who is dismissed from a company.
b. golden parachute.
–verb (used with object)
5. to drop or land (troops, equipment, supplies, etc.) by parachute.
–verb (used without object)
6. to descend by parachute.
Origin:
1775–85; < F, equiv. to para- para- 2 + chute fall; see chute 1

Related forms:
par⋅a⋅chut⋅ic, adjective
par⋅a⋅chut⋅ist, par⋅a⋅chut⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Parachute
Skydive in Wine Country
Sonoma County near San Francisco, great views, professional staff
www.NorCalSkydiving.com
Skydiving in San Diego
Scenic flights over the ocean with every tandem jump. 120 mph freefall
www.PCSkydiving.com
par·a·chute   (pār'ə-shōōt')   
n.  
  1. An apparatus used to retard free fall from an aircraft, consisting of a light, usually hemispherical canopy attached by cords to a harness and worn or stored folded until deployed in descent.
  2. Any of various similar unpowered devices that are used for retarding free-speeding or free-falling motion.
v.   par·a·chut·ed, par·a·chut·ing, par·a·chutes

v.   tr.
To drop (supplies or troops, for example) by means of a parachute.
v.   intr.
To descend by means of a parachute.

[French : para(sol), parasol; see parasol + chute, fall; see chute.]
par'a·chut'ic adj., par'a·chut'ist, par'a·chut'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Parachute

Par"a*chute\, n. [F., fr. paper to ward off, guard + chute a fall. See Parry, and Chute, Chance.]

1. A contrivance somewhat in the form of an umbrella, by means of which a descent may be made from a balloon, or any eminence.

2. (Zo["o]l.) A web or fold of skin which extends between the legs of certain mammals, as the flying squirrels, colugo, and phalangister.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : Parachute
Spanish: paracaídas,
German: der Fallschirm; Fallschirm…,
Japanese: パラシュート
More Translations »

parachute 
1785, from Fr. parachute, lit. "that which protects against a fall," hybrid coined by Fr. aeronaut François Blanchard (1753-1809) from para- "defense against" (from L. parare "prepare") + chute "a fall" (see chute). The verb is attested from 1807.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Parachute on Thesaurus | Reference
Skydiving in California
Best Prices & Learn to Sky dive Great Gift Idea! Call 661-765-5867
www.skydivetaft.com
Custom Chutes Parasails
Made to order retail, commercial Sold to the public, parasails
www.customchutes.com
Balloon-Glider-Skydive
Gift Ride Tickets-Fun-$169-Mbr. BBB 60 Day Refund, Parachute
www.800soaring.com/200 Locations