para

1. <obstetrics> A woman who has given birth to one or more infants. Para followed by a roman numeral or preceded by a Latin prefix (primi-, secundi-, terti-, quadri-, etc.) designates the number of times a pregnancy has culminated in a single or multiple birth; e.g. Para I, primipara; a woman who has given birth for the first time, para II, secundipara; a woman who has given birth for the second time to one or more infants.

Compare: gravida.

Origin: L. Pario, to bring forth

2. <prefix> A prefix signifying alongside of, beside, beyond, against, amiss; as parable, literally, a placing beside; paradox, that which is contrary to opinion; parachronism. Denotes a departure from the normal, involvement of two like parts or a pair, adjacent, alongside, near, etc.

3. (p-). In chemistry, and italicised prefix two substitutions in the benzene ring arranged symmetrically, i.e., linked to opposite carbon atoms in the ring.

Compare: ortho-, meta-.

Origin: G. Alongside of, near