Paronomasia, par-ō-nō-mā′zhi-a, n. a rhetorical figure in which words similar in sound but different in meaning are set in opposition to each other: a play upon words—also Paronom′asy.—adjs. Paronomas′tic, -al.—ns. Par′onyme, Par′onym, a paronymous word—opp. to Homonym.—adj. Paron′ymous, formed by a slight change of word or name: derived from the same root: having the same sound, but different in spelling and meaning.—n. Paron′ymy, quality of being paronymous. [Gr. para, beside, onoma, name.]
Paroquet, Parroquet, par′o-ket, n. a small long-tailed tropical and subtropical parrot.—Also Parr′akeet. [Fr. perroquet—Pierrot, dim. of Pierre, Peter.]
Parosmia, pa-ros′mi-a, n. a perversion of the sense of smell. [Gr. para, beside, osmē, smell.]
Parotid, par-ot′id, n. the largest of the three pairs of salivary glands, situated immediately in front of the ear—also Parō′tis.—adj. Parot′ic, auricular, situated about the outer ear.—ns. Parotidī′tis, Parotī′tis, inflammation of the parotic gland. [L.,—Gr. parōtis, -idos—para, beside, ous, ōtos, ear.]
Paroxysm, par′oks-izm, n. a fit of acute pain occurring at intervals: a fit of passion: any sudden violent action.—adjs. Paroxys′mal, Paroxys′mic, pertaining to, or occurring in, paroxysms. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. paroxysmos—para, beyond, oxys, sharp.]
Paroxytone, par-ok′si-tōn, adj. having the acute accent on the last syllable but one.—n. a word with an acute accent on the second last syllable.—v.t. to accent a word in this way.
Parquet, pär-ket′, n. the part of the floor of a theatre, &c., behind the musicians' seats, but not under the gallery: the pit or the whole of the floor of a theatre: parquetry.—n. Par′quetry, woodwork inlaid with figures, for floors. [Fr. parquet, an inlaid floor, dim. of parc, an enclosure.]
Parr, pär, n. a young salmon.
Parrakeet, par′a-kēt, n. Same as Paroquet.