Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAR'A-LYZ'ED, pp.

Affected with palsy.

PAR'A-LYZ'ING, ppr.

Palsying; destroying function.

PA-RAM'E-TER, n. [from Gr. παραμετρεω.]

1. The latus rectum of a parabola. It is a third proportional to the abscissa and any ordinate, so that the square of the ordinate is always equal to the rectangle under the parameter and abscissa; but in the ellipsis and hyperbola it has a different proportion. – Harris.
2. In conic sections, a third proportional to any diameter and its conjugate. In the parabola, a third proportional to any absciss and its ordinate.

PAR'A-MOUNT, a. [Norm. peramont; per and mount, amont or monter, to ascend.]

1. Superior to all others; possessing the highest title or jurisdiction; as, lord paramount, the chief lord of the fee, or of lands, tenements and hereditaments. In England, the king is lord paramount, of whom all the land all the kingdom supposed to be held. But in some cases the lord of several manors is called the lord paramount. – Blackstone.
2. Eminent; of the highest order. – Bacon.
3. Superior to all others; as, private interest is usually paramount to all other considerations.

PAR'A-MOUNT, n.

The chief; the highest in rank or order. – Milton.

PAR'A-MOUR, n. [Fr. par, L. per, and amour; Norm. paraimer, to love affectionately.]

1. A lover; a wooer. – Milton.
2. A mistress. – Shak.

PAR'AN-THINE, n. [See SCAPOLITE.]

PAR'A-NYMPH, n. [Gr. παρα, by, and νυμφη, a bride or spouse.]

1. A brideman; one who leads the bride to her marriage. – Milton.
2. One who countenances and supports another. – Taylor.

PAR'A-PEGM, n. [par'apem; Gr. παραπηγμα.]

A brazen table fixed to a pillar, on which laws and proclamations were anciently engraved; also, a table set in a public place, containing an account of the rising and setting of the stars, eclipses, seasons. – Phillips.

PAR'A-PET, n. [Fr.; Sp. parapeto; It. parapetto; para, for and petto, breast, L. pectus.]

Literally, a wall or rampart to the breast or breast high; but in practice, a wall, rampart or elevation of earth for covering soldiers from an enemy's shot, or serving as a support to a quay, a bridge or terrace. – Encyc.

PAR'APH, n. [Gr. παρα and απτω, to touch.]

The figure or flourish made by a pen under one's signature, formerly used to provide against forgery.

PAR-A-PHER'NA, or PAR-A-PHER-NA'LIA, n. [Gr. παραφερνα; παρα, beyond and φερνη, dower.]

The goods which a wife brings with her at her marriage, which she possesses beyond her dower or jointure, and which remain at her disposal after her husband's death. Such are her apparel and her ornaments, over which the executors have no control, unless when the assets are in sufficient to pay the debts. – Blackstone.

PAR-A-PHER'N-AL, a.

Pertaining to or consisting in parapherna; paraphernal property. – Kent.

PAR'A-PHO-NY, n. [Gr. παρα and φωνη.]

An alteration of voice.

PAR'A-PHRASE, n. [s as z. Gr. παραφρασις; παρα, beyond, and φρασις, phrase.]

An explanation of some text or passage in a book, in a more clear and ample manner than as expressed in the words of the author. Such is the paraphrase of the New Testament by Erasmus. rich in paraphrase, or translation with latitude, the author's words are not so strictly followed as his sense. – Dryden.

PAR'A-PHRASE, v.i.

To interpret or explain amply; to make a paraphrase. Where translation is impracticable, they may paraphrase. – Felton.

PAR'A-PHRASE, v.t.

To explain, interpret or translate with latitude; to unfold the sense of an author with more clearness and particularity than it is expressed in his own words.

PAR'A-PHRAS'ED, pp.

Amply explained or translated.

PAR'A-PHRAS'ING, ppr.

Explaining or translating amply and freely.

PAR'A-PHRAST, n. [Gr. παραφραστης.]

One that paraphrases; one that explains or translates in words more simple and clear than the words of the other. – Hooker.

PAR-A-PHRAS'TIC, or PAR-A-PHRAS'TIC-AL, a.

Free, clear and ample in explanation; explaining or translating in words more clear and ample than those of the author; not verbal or literal.

PAR-A-PHRAS'TIC-AL-LY, adv.

In a paraphrastic manner. – Howell.

PAR-A-PHRE-NI'TIS, n. [Gr. παρα and φρενιτις, delirium.]

An inflammation of the diaphragm. – Arbuthnot.

PAR'A-PLE-GY, n. [Gr. παρα, beyond, and πληγη, stroke; πλησσω; to smite.]

That kind of palsy which affects the lower part of the body. – Good.

PAR-A-QUET', n.

A little parrot. – Shak.