Homonym: Para (Parachute)
Para is a prefix derived from Greek, meaning "beside," "alongside," or "beyond." It is commonly used in various fields, including science, medicine, and linguistics, to indicate a relationship or a variation of something. For example, in medicine, parasitology studies organisms that live on or in a host, while in linguistics, paradigms refer to patterns of inflection in language.
In addition to its use as a prefix, Para can also refer to specific concepts or entities. For instance, paragliding is a recreational activity that involves flying with a lightweight, free-flying glider. Similarly, paranormal refers to phenomena that are beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding, such as ghosts or supernatural events.