Defn: Paraphrasing; of the nature of paraphrase; explaining, or
translating in words more clear and ample than those of the author;
not literal; free.
— Par`a*phras"tic*al*ly, adv.
PARAPHYSIS
Pa*raph"y*sis, n.; pl. Paraphyses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A minute jointed filament growing among the archegonia and antheridia of mosses, or with the spore cases, etc., of other flowerless plants.
PARAPLEGIA; PARAPLEGY Par`a*ple"gi*a, Par"a*ple`gy, n. Etym: [NL. paraplegia, fr. Gr. paraplégie.] (Med.)
Defn: Palsy of the lower half of the body on both sides, caused usually by disease of the spinal cord. — Par`a*pleg"ic, a.
PARAPLEURA
Par`a*pleu"ra, n.; pl. Parapleuræ. Etym: [NL. See Para-, and 2d
Pleura.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A chitinous piece between the metasternum and the pleuron of certain insects.
PARAPODIUM
Par`a*po"di*um, n.; pl. Parapodia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the lateral appendages of an annelid; — called also foot tubercle.
Note: 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.