Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Sense: 1-3
Origin: LatinGreek, from para 'beside'
Sense: 4
Date: 1900-2000
Origin: parachute

para-

 prefix
     
para-
1 beyond:
the paranormal (=strange unnatural events, beyond normal experience)
2 very similar to something:
terrorists wearing paramilitary uniforms
3SEBO relating to a profession and helping more highly trained people:
a paramedic (=someone who helps a doctor)
a paralegal (=someone who helps a lawyer)
4 relating to parachutes:
a paratrooper
paragliding
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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