40 Words Beginning with Para-

40 Words Beginning with Para- 40 Words Beginning with Para- 40 Words Beginning with Para- By Mark Nichol The prefix para- is versatile, meaning â€Å"beside,† â€Å"closely related,† or â€Å"closely resembling†; â€Å"accessory† or â€Å"subsidiary†; â€Å"beyond†; or â€Å"abnormal† or â€Å"faulty.† The commonality is that a word beginning with para- pertains to the relationship or resemblance of something to something else. This post lists and briefly defines words with the prefix. 1. parable (â€Å"throw beside†): a story illustrating a moral or religious principle 2. parabola (â€Å"throw beside†): a roughly U-shaped curve, or a similarly shaped object 3. paracentesis (â€Å"stab beside†): a puncturing surgical procedure 4. parachute (â€Å"against fall†): a canopy of fabric used to slow the fall of someone or something from an aircraft (or something figuratively similar), or a similar anatomical structure on an animal 5. paradigm (â€Å"show beside†): an example or pattern 6. parados (â€Å"against back†): a rear wall of a military trench 7. paradox (â€Å"outside of opinion†): something contrary to expectation 8. paragliding (â€Å"against descending smoothly,† on the model of parachute): an airborne activity involving a person harnessed to a maneuverable parachute-like wing 9. paragon (â€Å"beside whetstone†): a model or pattern of excellence 10. paragraph (â€Å"written beside†): a short piece of writing on one topic 11. paralanguage (â€Å"beside what is said†): vocal effects such as tone that convey additional meaning 12. paralegal (â€Å"beside law†): an assistant to a lawyer 13. paraleipsis (â€Å"pass over†): something mentioned only briefly, but emphasized by doing so 14. parallax (â€Å"change beside†): an inclination of two converging lines 15. parallel (â€Å"beside each other†): equidistant, or equal or similar, or arranged for simultaneity 16. parallelogram (â€Å"draw equal†): a four-sided shape with parallel sides of equal length 17. paralysis (â€Å"loosen beside†): loss of ability to move or act 18. paramagnetic (â€Å"abnormally attracting†): weakly magnetic 19. paramecium (â€Å"long on one side†): a type of single-celled animal 20. paramedic (â€Å"beside doctor†): medical personnel who treat injured or sick people before and while they are taken to a hospital, or who assist doctors 21. parameter (â€Å"beside measure†): a factor or limit 22. paramilitary (â€Å"resembling soldiers†): an unofficial military unit 23. paranoia (â€Å"beside mind†): delusional mental illness, or irrational suspicion 24. paranormal (â€Å"beside usual†): not scientifically explainable 25. parapet (â€Å"against breast†): a wall of stone or earth 26. paraphernalia (â€Å"beside dowry†): belongings or equipment 27. paraphilia (â€Å"beside love†): arousal about improper sexual practices 28. paraphrase (â€Å"point out beside†): restatement 29. paraplegia (â€Å"strike at one side†): paralysis of the lower body 30. parapraxis (â€Å"against practice†): blunder or lapse, or an error that reveals subconscious motives 31. paraprofessional (â€Å"beside skilled person†): one who assists a professional worker such as a teacher 32. parapsychology (â€Å"beside study of the mind†): investigation of psychic phenomena 33. paraquat (â€Å"resembling four,† from its chemical composition): an herbicide 34. parasailing (â€Å"against sail,† on the model of parachute): an airborne activity involving a person harnessed to a parachute-like device being pulled by a vehicle 35. parasite (â€Å"beside food†): an organism or entity that exploits a host or other entity 36. parasol (â€Å"against sun†): an umbrella for shielding the bearer from sunlight 37. parastate (â€Å"resembling political entity†): a political territory not recognized by others 38. parasympathetic (â€Å"beside feeling with†): pertaining to a part of the nervous system 39. paratransit (â€Å"beside travel†): individualized public transit 40. paratrooper (â€Å"against soldier,† on the model of parachute): a soldier specializing in parachuting from an aircraft Some words beginning with para-, such as parakeet, paramount, and paramour, are distantly related, not directly associated with the etymology of the prefix, while other words beginning with or including par- but followed by another vowel or a consonant are closely cognate; the latter group will be detailed in a subsequent post. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Idioms About NumbersCapitalization Rules for the Names of Games45 Idioms with "Roll"