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para
1[ pah-rah, pahr-ah ]
/ pɑˈrɑ, ˈpɑr ɑ /
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noun, plural pa·ras, pa·ra.
a coin and monetary unit of Macedonia and Serbia, one 100th of a dinar.
formerly, a coin and monetary unit of Yugoslavia, one 100th of a dinar.
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Origin of para
1First recorded in 1905–10; from Serbo-Croatian pàra, from Turkish; see para2
Words nearby para
papule, papyraceous, papyrology, papyrus, par, para, para-aminobenzoic acid, parabasis, paraben, parabiosis, parablast
Other definitions for para (2 of 10)
para2
[ pah-rah, pahr-ah ]
/ pɑˈrɑ, ˈpɑr ɑ /
noun, plural pa·ras, pa·ra.
a former copper coin of Turkey, the 40th part of a piaster.
Origin of para
2First recorded in1680–90; from Turkish, from Persian pāra, literally, “piece”
Other definitions for para (3 of 10)
para3
[ par-uh ]
/ ˈpær ə /
adjective Chemistry.
noun
Origin of para
3First recorded in 1875–80; independent use of para-1
Other definitions for para (4 of 10)
Other definitions for para (5 of 10)
para5
[ par-uh ]
/ ˈpær ə /
noun, plural par·as, par·ae [par-ee]. /ˈpær i/. Obstetrics.
Also called parity . a woman's status regarding the bearing of viable offspring: usually followed by a Roman numeral designating the number of times the woman has given birth.
the woman herself.
Compare gravida.
Other definitions for para (6 of 10)
para-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); by extension from these senses, this prefix came to designate objects or activities auxiliary to or derivative of that denoted by the base word (parody; paronomasia), and hence abnormal or defective (paranoia), a sense now common in modern scientific coinages (parageusia; paralexia). As an English prefix, para-1 may have any of these senses; it is also productive in the naming of occupational roles considered ancillary or subsidiary to roles requiring more training, or of a higher status, on such models as paramedical and paraprofessional: paralegal; paralibrarian; parapolice.
Chemistry. a combining form designating the para (1, 4) position in the benzene ring. Abbreviation: p-.Compare meta- (def. 4b), ortho- (def. 2b).
Also especially before a vowel, par- .
Origin of para-
1<Greek para-, combining form representing pará (preposition) beside, alongside of, by, beyond
Other definitions for para (7 of 10)
para-2
a combining form meaning “guard against,” occurring in loanwords from French, or, via French, from Italian: parachute; parasol.
Origin of para-
2<French <Italian para, 3rd singular present of parare to prepare against, ward off <Latin parāre to prepare
Other definitions for para (8 of 10)
para-3
a combining form extracted from parachute, forming compounds denoting persons or things utilizing parachutes or landed by parachute: paradrop; paradoctor; paraglider; paratrooper.
Other definitions for para (9 of 10)
Pará
[ pah-rah ]
/ pɑˈrɑ /
noun
an estuary in N Brazil: an arm of the Amazon. 200 miles (320 km) long; 40 miles (65 km) wide.
Other definitions for para (10 of 10)
Para.
abbreviation
Paraguay.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use para in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for para (1 of 6)
para1
/ (ˈpɑːrə) /
noun plural -ras or -ra
a monetary unit of Serbia worth one hundredth of a dinar; formerly a monetary unit of Yugoslavia
Word Origin for para
C17: Serbo-Croat, via Turkish from Persian pārah piece, portion
British Dictionary definitions for para (2 of 6)
para2
/ (ˈpærə) /
noun informal
- a soldier in an airborne unit
- an airborne unit
a paragraph
British Dictionary definitions for para (3 of 6)
para3
/ (ˈpɑːrɑː) /
noun plural para
a New Zealand fern, Marattia salicina, with long heavy frondsAlso called: horseshoe fern, king fern
Word Origin for para
Māori
British Dictionary definitions for para (4 of 6)
para-1
before a vowel par-
prefix
Word Origin for para-
from Greek para (prep) alongside, beyond
British Dictionary definitions for para (5 of 6)
para-2
combining form
indicating an object that acts as a protection against somethingparachute; parasol
Word Origin for para-
via French from Italian para-, from parare to defend, shield against, ultimately from Latin parāre to prepare
British Dictionary definitions for para (6 of 6)
Pará
/ (Portuguese paˈra) /
noun
a state of N Brazil, on the Atlantic: mostly dense tropical rainforest Capital: Belém. Pop: 6 453 683 (2002). Area: 1 248 042 sq km (474 896 sq miles)
another name for Belém
an estuary in N Brazil into which flow the Tocantins River and a branch of the Amazon. Length: about 320 km (200 miles)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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