Definitions
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- A prefix signifying alongside of, beside, beyond, against, amiss; as
para ble, literally, a placing beside;para dox, that which is contrary to opinion;para chronism. - (Chem.) A prefix denoting: (a)
Likeness ,similarity , orconnection , or that the substanceresembles , but isdistinct from , that to the name of which it is prefixed; aspar aldehyde,para conine, etc.; also, anisomeric modification . (b) Specifically: (Organ. Chem.) That two groups or radicals substituted in the benzene nucleus are opposite, or in the respective positions 1 and 4; 2 and 5; or 3 and 6, aspara xylene;par oxybenzoic acid. Cf.Ortho- , andMeta- . Also used adjectively.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- prefix
above ,beyond - prefix
beside ,near ,alongside - prefix
abnormal ,incorrect - prefix
resembling - prefix chemistry In
isomeric benzene derivatives , having the twosubstituents inopposite positions (compareortho- andmeta- .) - prefix Forming words relating to activities carried out with a parachute.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From parachute
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Ancient Greek παρά (para, "beside; next to, near, from; against, contrary to").
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Examples
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It prizes performers and bands that do a lot of avoiding themselves: obscure or reclusive or misunderstood or intransigent or semi-extant, forerunners and satellites and outsiders, the post- and pre- and para-.
NYT > Home Page 2011
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