| 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] |
| Paraguay |
a central South American country between Argentina and Brazil. |
| Paraguay River |
a large river in South America that begins in southwestern Brazil, flows through Paraguay and along its border with Argentina, finally joining the Paraná River at the southwestern tip of Paraguay. |
| Paraguay tea |
see "maté." |
| parakeet |
a variety of small parrot, usu. having a long tapered tail. |
| paralegal |
a lawyer's assistant who has some training in legal matters, but who does not hold a law degree. |
| parallax |
the apparent change in the position of an observed object when seen from two different points. |
| parallel |
extending in the same direction and being the same distance apart at every point. [9 definitions] |
| parallel bars |
a set of two horizontal poles parallel to each other and supported by adjustable upright posts, on which gymnasts perform various acrobatic routines. [2 definitions] |
| parallelepiped |
a geometric solid having six surfaces, all of which are parallelograms. |
| parallelism |
similarity; resemblance; agreement. [3 definitions] |
| parallelogram |
a four-sided plane figure that has opposite sides parallel and equal to each other. |
| paralogism |
faulty reasoning; illogical argument. |
| paralyse |
a spelling of "paralyze" used in Canada and Britain. See "paralyze" for more information. |
| paralysis |
partial or complete loss of sensation or the ability to move in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nervous system. [2 definitions] |
| paralysis agitans |
see "Parkinson's disease." |
| paralytic |
one who is paralyzed. [3 definitions] |