para- meaning: definition, etymology

para-

prefix

UK /ˈpæɹə/ · US /ˈpɛɹə/

Etymology From Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, “beside, next to”).

20 senses

1

Morpheme beside, alongside

para- → parallel
para- → parasite

2

Morpheme parallel

para- + conformity → paraconformity
para- + axial → paraxial

3

Morpheme between

4

Morpheme around, surrounding

para- + cortex → paracortex
para- + diapophysis → paradiapophysis

5

Morpheme covering

para- + colpitis → paracolpitis

6

Morpheme adjacent, next to

para- + central → paracentral
para- + caval → paracaval

7

Morpheme near

para- + anal → paranal
para- + epididymis → parepididymis

1 more example

para- + ethmoid → parethmoid

8

Morpheme opposite of, on the far side of

para- + cavernous → paracavernous

9

Morpheme above, over

para- + ductal → paraductal
para- + coronoid → paracoronoid

1 more example

para- + condylar → paracondylar

10

Morpheme across, through, throughout

para- + cerebral → paracerebral
para- + cloacal → paracloacal

3 more examples

para- + cotylar → paracotylar
para- + coastal → paracoastal
para- + esophageal → paraesophageal

11

Morpheme beyond

para- → paradox (literally “beyond expectation”)
para- + normal → paranormal

1 more example

para- + clival → paraclival

12

Morpheme abnormal

para- + algesia → paralgesia

13

Morpheme incorrect

14

Morpheme false

para- + diorthosis → paradiorthosis

15

Morpheme resembling

para- + amylum → paraamylum
para- + military → paramilitary

16

Morpheme unrecognized, unauthorized, or unsanctioned

para- + state → parastate
para- + baptism → parabaptism

17

Morpheme avoiding or avoidant

para- + enteral → parenteral
para- + consistent → paraconsistent

18

Chemistry, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences Morpheme In isomeric benzene derivatives, having the two substituents in opposite (1,4) positions (compare ortho- and meta-)

19

Morpheme related or pertaining to

para- + bicanonical → parabicanonical
para- + bigeminal → parabigeminal

2 more examples

para- + clinical → paraclinical
para- + complex → paracomplex

20

Morpheme affecting or concerning lower body

para- + anesthesia → paranesthesia
para- + ballism → paraballism

Derived terms: P-, parabola, paradigm, paradox, parallel, parallelogram, paramedic, paramilitary, parasite, paratext, paravirtualization, parabiology, paranormal, parapsychology

para-

prefix

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

1

Idiomatic, Morpheme, Obsolete to guard against, to avert, to shield from; to provide protection against, defence from

Derived terms: para-bore, protection against bore, paragrandine, paravane
Related terms: parachute, parados, paragrele, parapet, parasol, paravent

para-

prefix

Etymology From parachute.

1

Morpheme Parachute

para- + skiing → paraskiing

Derived terms: parabrake, paracord, paradiver, paradoctor, paradrop, parafoil, parafrag bomb, paraglider, parajump, parajute, parakiting, parapants, paraplane, parasheet, paraski, paraspotter, paratrooper

para-

prefix

Etymology From Paralympic.

1

Morpheme disability sport

Derived terms: para-archery, para-athlete, parathlete, paracanoe, para-canoe, paracycling, para-cycling, Paralympian, Paralympiad, Paralympics, Paralympic Games, paraskiing, para nordic skiing, parasport, parasports, para-sport, para-sports, paratriathlon