para-

See also: Appendix:Variations of "para"

English

Etymology 1

From Ancient Greek παρά ‎(pará, “beside; next to, near, from; against, contrary to”).

Prefix

para-

1. above, beyond
2. beside, near, alongside
3. abnormal, incorrect
4. resembling
5. (organic chemistry) In isomeric benzene derivatives, having the two substituents in opposite positions (compare ortho- and meta-.)

Derived terms

terms derived from παρά (beside, abnormal, resembling, chem.)

parabola paradigm parasite

parallel parallelogram paravirtualization paramedic

paramilitary paranormal

parapsychology paratext

Translations

above, beyond

• Greek: παρα- (el) ‎(para-)
• Japanese: 超 (ja) ‎(ちょう, chō)

• Spanish: para- (es)
• Korean: 超 ‎(초, cho)

Etymology 2

From French para-, from Italian para-, from para, imperative of parare ‎(“to defend, shield, shroud”), from Latin parō ‎(“I prepare”).

Prefix

para-

1. (obsolete, not productive) to guard against, to avert, to shield from; to provide protection against, defence from

Derived terms

• para-bore (jest, nonce word), protection against bores
• paragrandine
• paravane

Related terms

terms related to para-, but not formed in English

parachute parados

parapet parasol paravent

Etymology 3

From parachute

Prefix

para-

1. Forming words relating to activities carried out with a parachute.

Derived terms

terms derived from para- (parachute)

parabrake paradiver paradoctor paradrop parafoil

parafrag bomb paraglider parajump parajute

parakiting parapants paraplane parasheet

paraski paraspotter paratrooper

Etymology 4

From Paralympic

Prefix

para-

1. Forming words relating to disability sport

Derived terms

Paralympic sport

para-archery paracanoe / para-canoe paracycling / para-cycling

para-athlete / parathlete parasport / parasports / para-sport / para-sports paratriathlon

See also

► English words prefixed with para-

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French

Etymology 1

From Ancient Greek παρά ‎(pará, “beside”)

Prefix

para-

1. para- (all senses)

Etymology 2

Via Italian para-, imperative of parare, from Latin parō ‎(“to shield”).

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Synonyms

• garde- (e.g. garde-boue, garde-bras)
• pare- (e.g. pare-chocs, pare-soleil)

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Ido

Etymology

Borrowing from English para-, French para-, Italian para-, Spanish parar.

Prefix

para-

1. prefix denoting protection against, something to ward off

   para- + ‎pluvo ‎(“rain”) → ‎parapluvo ‎(“umbrella”)

   para- + ‎moskito ‎(“mosquito”) → ‎paramoskito ‎(“mosquito net”)

Derived terms

► Ido words prefixed with para-

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Irish

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Derived terms

► Irish words prefixed with para-

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Italian

Prefix

para-

1. para- (all senses)

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Serbo-Croatian

Prefix

para- ‎(Cyrillic spelling пара-)

1. Para-.

   nauka ‎(“science”) → paranauka ‎(“parascience”)

   normalno ‎(“normally”) → paranormalno ‎(“paranormal”)