what does a Para prefix mean?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve tried to find out without much luck.

Such as paramilitary

is it the same para as paradign and parallel?

2

para- is from the Greek para meaning alongside or beside

paramilitary, parallel and paradigm all use this.

Parachute, OTOH doesn’t, that para derives from the Latin parare (to defend against)

3

I never quite understood the difference between a paramedic and a medic, semantically speaking.

4

Me neither, I always thought it meant kinda the same as a sub- or “a little less than” type until I looked it up. But for instance a paramilitary unit or knife that means not actual military but works side by side with it? :confused: Paramedic is even more strange… I also knew in spanish the word para means “for” and since I thought “para” might be a latin prefix hence - para military or “for the military” seemed to make the most logical since to me. I guess I was wrong again…

5

Compare and contrast the use of para- with its cousins, ortho- and meta.

Ortho: Straight, true. Orthodoxy, orthopedics, orthodontics.
Meta: Changed, altered, beyond. Metaphysics, metamorphosis.
Para: Besides, against, contrary to. Paraphilia, paranormal.

6

From dictionary.com

para or par-
pref.

  1. Beside; near; alongside: parathyroid.
  2. Beyond: paranormal.
  3. Incorrect; abnormal: paresthesia.
  4. Similar to; resembling: paratyphoid fever.
  5. Subsidiary; assistant: paraprofessional.
  6. Isomeric; polymeric: paraldehyde.

also:

  • \Par"a-\ [Gr. ? beside; prob. akin to E. for- in forgive. Cf. For-.] 1. A prefix signifying alongside of, beside, beyond, against, amiss; as parable, literally, a placing beside; paradox, that which is contrary to opinion; parachronism.

As with many other prefixes, the English language scoops in meanings and applies them with the discrimination of a Pacers fan throwing cups.

7

ExapnoMapcase has it right, usually def. 4 applies.

8

One additional meaning that Exapno hasn’t listed:

  1. Combining form of “parachute”: parasail.
9

nitpick: Pistons fan. The Pacers were on the receiving end of the cup throwing (unless there’s been another incident I haven’t heard about.