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parabiosis the natural or artificial physical joining of two individuals so that they share blood supply.
parable a brief story told as a moral or religious lesson, esp. one that uses allegory or symbolism.
parabola a plane curve such as that formed by the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane that is parallel to a straight line up the side of the cone, such curve resembling the path of an object that is thrown forward in the air and falls to earth.
parabolic of, related to, resembling, or having the form of a parabola.
paracetamol (chiefly British) a drug used to relieve pain and reduce fever but which does not significantly reduce inflammation; acetaminophen.
parachute a large device made of strong, thin cloth and attached cords in a conical arrangement, forming an umbrella that slows the descent of a person or heavy object, esp. one that has jumped or been dropped from an airplane. [4 definitions]
paraclete a person called upon to help; advocate; intercessor. [2 definitions]
parade a public procession of people or things, esp. on the occasion of a celebration or ceremony, and usu. including band music. [9 definitions]
parade rest a position, used in the military, in which the feet are held twelve inches apart, the hands are clasped behind the back, and the head is held erect and facing ahead.
paradiddle a pattern of beats, esp. on a snare drum, in which the right and left drumsticks alternate single strokes, followed by two beats of the right, followed by a reversal of this pattern.
paradigm an example, model, pattern, or the like. [2 definitions]
paradise (sometimes cap.) the final destination of virtuous souls; heaven. [3 definitions]
paradisiac like or befitting paradise.
parador a government-owned tourist inn or hotel, esp. in Spain.
paradox a statement that contradicts or seems to contradict itself, yet often expresses a truth, such as "Less is more". [3 definitions]
paradoxical containing or embodying two assertions or qualities that contradict each other, or seem to contradict each other.
paraffin an odorless waxy white substance derived from petroleum, wood, or coal and used to make candles, sealing materials, and waxed paper. [3 definitions]
paraffin series see "alkane series."
paraffin wax paraffin in its solid form, used esp. in making candles, sealing preserving jars, and the like.
paragon a model of excellence or of a particular admirable quality.
paragraph in a written article, composition, speech, or the like, a distinct section composed of one or more sentences that is related to the main point but that expresses an idea in itself and begins on a new line, usually indented. [3 definitions]