para
UK: ˈpærə | US: ˈpærə
n. (short for "paragraph") a distinct section of a piece of writing
n. (short for "paratrooper") a soldier trained to parachute
prefix meaning "beside," "beyond," or "abnormal" (e.g., paradox, paralegal)
No data yet.
The prefix para- originates from Greek παρά (pará), meaning "beside," "near," or "beyond." It entered English via Latin and French, retaining its core sense of adjacency or deviation. In modern usage, it appears in words like parallel (beside each other), paranormal (beyond normal), and parasite (originally "one who eats beside," referring to a hanger-on). Its adaptability makes it a productive prefix in scientific and technical terms.
The article’s opening para summarizes the key argument.
He served as a para during the war, jumping behind enemy lines.
The paradox puzzled philosophers for centuries.
She works as a paralegal, assisting lawyers with research.
The parasite clung to the host organism, draining its nutrients.