para-

1. Beside; near; alongside: parathyroid.
2. Beyond: paranormal.
3. Incorrect; abnormal: paresthesia.
4. Similar to; resembling: paratyphoid fever.
5. Subsidiary; assistant: paraprofessional.
6. Isomeric; polymeric: paraldehyde.
7. A diatomic molecule in which the nuclei have opposite spin directions: parahydrogen.
8. Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by two unsubstituted carbon atoms: para-aminobenzoic acid.

[Greek, from para, beside.]

[From PARACHUTE.]

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1. Beside; near; alongside: paranucleus.
2. Beyond: parapsychology.
3. Incorrect; abnormal: paradipsia.
4. Similar to; resembling: paratyphoid.
5. Subsidiary; assistant: paramedical.
6. Isomeric; polymeric: paraldehyde.
7. A diatomic molecule in which the nuclei have opposite spin directions: parahydrogen.
8. (Abbr. p–) Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by two unsubstituted carbon atoms. Usually in italic: para-bromoiodobenzene.

• Geometric Shapes and Mathematically Defined Forms - para-: prefix meaning equal or same, as in parallelogram figure with both pairs of opposite sides equal
• Prefixes - para-: beside, beyond; guard against (parallel, parachute)