before vowels, par-, word-forming element meaning "alongside, beyond; altered; contrary; irregular, abnormal," from Greek para- from para (prep.) "beside, near, issuing from, against, contrary to," from PIE *prea, from root *per- (1) "forward, through" (see per). Cognate with Old English for- "off, away."
word-forming element meaning "defense, protection against; that which protects from," from Italian para, imperative of parare "to ward off," from Latin parare "make ready" (see pare).
para- or par-
pref.
Beside; near; alongside: paranucleus.
Beyond: parapsychology.
Incorrect; abnormal: paradipsia.
Similar to; resembling: paratyphoid.
Subsidiary; assistant: paramedical.
Isomeric; polymeric: paraldehyde.
A diatomic molecule in which the nuclei have opposite spin directions: parahydrogen.
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.