Parapodium
(||Par`a*po"di*um) n.; pl. Parapodia [NL., fr. Gr. para` beside + dim. of foot.] (Zoöl.)
One of the lateral appendages of an annelid; — called also foot tubercle.
They may serve for locomotion, respiration, and sensation, and often contain spines or setæ. When well
developed, a dorsal part, or notopodium, and a ventral part, or neuropodium, are distinguished.
Parapophysis
(Par`a*poph"y*sis) n.; pl. Parapophyses [NL. See Para-, and Apophysis.] (Anat.)
The ventral transverse, or capitular, process of a vertebra. See Vertebra. — Par*ap`o*phys"ic*al a.
Parapterum
(||Pa*rap"te*rum) n.; pl. Paraptera [NL. See Para-, and Pteron.] (Zoöl.) A special plate
situated on the sides of the mesothorax and metathorax of certain insects.
Paraquet
(Par`a*quet" Par`a*qui"to) n. [See Paroquet.] (Zoöl.) See Parrakeet.
Parasang
(Par"a*sang) n. [L. parasanga, Gr. from Old Persian; cf. Per. farsang.] A Persian measure
of length, which, according to Herodotus and Xenophon, was thirty stadia, or somewhat more than three
and a half miles. The measure varied in different times and places, and, as now used, is estimated at
from three and a half to four English miles.
Parascenium
(||Par`a*sce"ni*um) n.; pl. Parascenia [NL., fr. Gr. para` beside + stage.] (Greek &
Rom. Antiq.) One of two apartments adjoining the stage, probably used as robing rooms.
Parasceve
(||Par`a*sce"ve) n. [L., from Gr. lit., preparation.]
1. Among the Jews, the evening before the Sabbath. [Obs.] Mark xv. 42 (Douay ver.)
2. A preparation. [R.] Donne.
Paraschematic
(Par`a*sche*mat"ic) a. [Gr. to change from the true form.] Of or pertaining to a change
from the right form, as in the formation of a word from another by a change of termination, gender, etc.
Max Müller.
Paraselene
(||Par`a*se*le"ne) n.; pl. Paraselenæ [NL., from Gr. para` beside + the moon: cf. F. parasélène.]
(Meteor.) A mock moon; an image of the moon which sometimes appears at the point of intersection of
two lunar halos. Cf. Parhelion.
Parasita
(||Par`a*si"ta) n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) (a) An artificial group formerly made for parasitic insects, as
lice, ticks, mites, etc. (b) A division of copepod Crustacea, having a sucking mouth, as the lerneans.
They are mostly parasites on fishes. Called also Siphonostomata.
Parasital
(Par"a*si`tal) a. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to parasites; parasitic.
Parasite
(Par"a*site) n. [F., fr. L. parasitus, Gr. lit., eating beside, or at the table of, another; para` beside
+ to feed, from wheat, grain, food.]
1. One who frequents the tables of the rich, or who lives at another's expense, and earns his welcome
by flattery; a hanger-on; a toady; a sycophant.
Thou, with trembling fear,
Or like a fawning parasite, obey'st.
Milton.
Parasites were called such smell-feasts as would seek to be free guests at rich men's tables.
Udall. 2. (Bot.) (a) A plant obtaining nourishment immediately from other plants to which it attaches itself,
and whose juices it absorbs; — sometimes, but erroneously, called epiphyte. (b) A plant living on or
within an animal, and supported at its expense, as many species of fungi of the genus Torrubia.
