para-

See also: Appendix:Variations of "para"

English

Etymology 1

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

Prefix

para-

1. above, beyond
2. beside, near, alongside
3. abnormal, incorrect
4. resembling
5. (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

parallel paravirtualization

paramilitary paranormal

parapsychology paratext

Translations

above, beyond

• Japanese: 超 (ちょう, chō)

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 paradoctor paradrop parafoil

parafrag bomb paraglider parajump parajute

parakiting parapants paraplane parasheet

paraski paraspotter paratrooper

See also

► English words prefixed with para-

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French

Etymology 1

From Ancient Greek παρά (para, “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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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”)