para-

para-

para-¹ or par- [par′ə]

[Gr para- < para, at the side of, alongside < IE * pera-, var. of * per-, a going beyond > FAR, FORE] prefix

1.

a) by the side of, beside, by, past, to one side, aside from, amiss [parathyroid, parasite]

b) beyond [paranormal]

c) subsidiary to [paralegal, paramilitary]

2. Chem.

a) an isomer, modification, polymer, derivative, etc. of (a specified substance) [paraformaldehyde]

b) characterized by substitutions in the 1, 4 position (opposite sides) in the benzene ring: usually italicized and hyphenated in chemical names [para-aminobenzoic acid]: see META-, sense 6d, ORTHO-, sense 4b

3. Med.

a) in a secondary or accessory capacity [parahormone]

b) functionally disordered, abnormal [paramnesia]

c) like or resembling [paratyphoid]

4. Nuclear Physics the form of diatomic molecules in which nuclei have antiparallel spins [parahydrogen]

para-² [par′ə, per′ə]

combining form

1. [Fr < It para, imper. of parare, to ward off < L parare,PREPARE] protection of or against [parados]

2. [< PARA(CHUTE)] using a parachute [pararescue]