Also, slang term for 'paratrooper'. The first time I ever heard this was when I was in Belfast, where some of the local residents referred to the SAS as 'the paras'. Since then, I have come to realize that many Europeans use this term to refer to any special forces unit of a given nation's military.

Pa*ra" (?), n. [Turk., fr. Per. pArah a piece.]

A piece of Turkish money, usually copper, the fortieth part of a piaster, or about one ninth of a cent.

 

© Webster 1913

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Pa*rá" (?), n.

1.

The southern arm of the Amazon in Brazil; also, a seaport on this arm.

2.

Short for Pará rubber.

 

© Webster 1913