| 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] |