Para- (prefix)

Para- (prefix)
A prefix with many meanings, including: alongside of, beside, near, resembling, beyond, apart from, and abnormal. For example, the parathyroid glands are called "para-thyroid" because they are adjacent to the thyroid. For another example, paraumbilical means alongside the umbilicus (the belly button). The prefix "para-" comes straight from the Greek.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • para- — 1 1. 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);… …   Universalium

  • Para- — Par a [Gr. para beside; prob. akin to E. for in forgive. Cf. {For }.] 1. A prefix signifying alongside of, beside, beyond, against, amiss; as parable, literally, a placing beside; paradox, that which is contrary to opinion; parachronism. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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… …   English World dictionary

  • para- — before vowels, par , prefix meaning alongside, beyond, altered, contrary, from Gk. para from para (prep.) beside, near, from, against, contrary to, cognate with Skt. para beyond; Hitt. para on, forth; L. pro before, for, in favor of, per through; …   Etymology dictionary

  • para- — 1 (also par ) prefix 1》 beside; adjacent to: parathyroid. 2》 beyond or distinct from, but analogous to: paramilitary. 3》 Chemistry denoting substitution at diametrically opposite carbon atoms in a benzene ring: paradichlorobenzene. Compare with… …   English new terms dictionary

  • para- — [pærə] prefix [Sense: 1 3; Origin: LatinGreek, from para beside ] [Sense: 4; Date: 1900 2000; Origin: parachute] 1.) beyond ▪ the paranormal (=strange unnatural events, beyond normal experience) 2.) very similar to something ▪ terrorists wearing… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • para- — [pærə] prefix [Sense: 1 3; Origin: LatinGreek, from para beside ] [Sense: 4; Date: 1900 2000; Origin: parachute] 1.) beyond ▪ the paranormal (=strange unnatural events, beyond normal experience) 2.) very similar to something ▪ terrorists wearing… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • para- — (also par ) ► PREFIX 1) beside; adjacent to: parathyroid. 2) beyond or distinct from, but comparable to: paramilitary. ORIGIN from Greek para beside, beyond …   English terms dictionary

  • para- — [ perə ] prefix 1. ) beyond: used with some nouns and adjectives: paranormal (=strange and mysterious) 2. ) giving help to professional people: used with some nouns and adjectives: a paralegal (=someone who is trained to help a lawyer) 3. )… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • para- — prefix 1 beyond: the paranormal (=strange unnatural events) 2 very similar to something: terrorists wearing paramilitary uniforms | paratyphoid 3 connected with a profession and helping more highly trained people: paramedical workers such as… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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