paraprofessional

[par-uh-pruh-fesh-uh-nl]

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noun

a person trained to assist a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or other professional, but not licensed to practice in the profession.

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adjective

of or relating to paraprofessionals.

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Origin of paraprofessional

First recorded in 1965–70; para-¹ + professional

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Word Origin and History for paraprofessional

adj.

1962, from para- (1) + professional (adj.). As a noun from 1968.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper