parachute
UK[ˈpærəʃuːt]US[ˈpærəˌʃuːt]
n
a device made of cloth that is fastened to a person or object that is dropped from an aircraft, allowing it to fall slowly and safely to the ground.
v
to jump from an aircraft using a parachute.
Morpheme Breakdown
para
chute
para
against
chute
fall
Etymology
the word parachute entered english from french in the late 18th century. it is a compound of the french prefix 'para-', meaning 'protection against', and the noun 'chute', meaning 'a fall'. the logic is beautifully direct: a device that protects against a fall. the french 'para-' itself derives from the latin verb 'parare' (to prepare, ward off), while 'chute' comes from the latin 'cadere' (to fall). thus, the entire word encapsulates its function, evolving from the literal concept of 'warding off a fall' to the specific modern apparatus and the action of using it.
Analysis
Structure: para (against) + chute (fall)
para (from french, meaning 'against' or 'protection from', ultimately from latin 'parare' meaning 'to prepare, ward off'); chute (from french, meaning 'fall', from old french 'cheoite', the feminine past participle of 'cheoir', meaning 'to fall', from latin 'cadere').
Examples
the pilot ejected from the failing plane and deployed his parachute.
supplies were parachuted into the remote disaster area.
her first parachute jump was an exhilarating experience.