para

a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, most often attached to verbs and verbal derivatives, with the meanings “at or to one side of, beside, side by side” ( parabola; paragraph; parallel; paralysis ), “beyond, past, by” ( paradox; paragogue ); by extension from these senses, this prefix came to designate objects or activities auxiliary to or derivative of that denoted by the base word ( parody; paronomasia ), and hence abnormal or defective ( paranoia ), a sense now common in modern scientific coinages ( parageusia; paralexia ). As an English prefix, para-1 may have any of these senses; it is also productive in the naming of occupational roles considered ancillary or subsidiary to roles requiring more training, or of a higher status, on such models as paramedical and paraprofessional: paralegal; paralibrarian; parapolice .

Chemistry. a combining form designating the para (1, 4) position in the benzene ring. : p-. Compare meta- ( def 4b ), ortho- ( def 2b ).

a former copper coin of Turkey, the 40th part of a piaster.

a combining form meaning “guard against,” occurring in loanwords from French, or, via French, from Italian: parachute; parasol .

pertaining to or occupying two positions (1, 4) in the benzene ring that are separated by two carbon atoms. Compare ortho, meta ³.

para-dichlorobenzene.

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

paraprofessional ( def ).

paratrooper ( def ).

paragraph ( def ).

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

the woman herself.

an estuary in N Brazil: an arm of the Amazon. 200 miles (320 km) long; 40 miles (65 km) wide.

Belém.

Pará rubber.

Paraguay.