para-
beside, alongside
From Greek para, beside, alongside
Meaning
What does para- mean?
para- is a prefix meaning beside, alongside. It comes from Greek para, beside, alongside.
Inside words it is spelled par.
Para- becomes par- before a vowel (parenteral), and in a few words it means abnormal, as in paresthesia, an abnormal tingling.
In real words
Medical words with para-
next to the thyroid gland; relating to the parathyroid glands beside it, which control blood calcium
next to the nasal cavity, especially relating to the paranasal sinuses, air spaces in the skull bones around the nose
situated or done beside the spinal column, as a paravertebral nerve block
parenteral
given by a route other than the digestive tract, such as by injection or intravenous infusion
a speech error in which wrong or unintended words interrupt or replace the right ones
puncture of the wall of a body cavity to drain off excess fluid
an abnormal event that disrupts sleep, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking or nightmares
inflammation, usually infection, of the skin folds around a fingernail or toenail
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with para-
In the dictionary
More terms built with it
Terms in our life science dictionary that list para- among their word parts.
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- 1.3 Common Prefixes – Medical Terminology 2e
- Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean
- PARA- Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.
Position
para- is one of 14 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
Start the Lesson