n. [ L. parasanga, Gr. &unr_;, from Old Persian; cf. Per. farsang. ] A Persian measure of length, which, according to Herodotus and Xenophon, was thirty stadia, or somewhat more than three and a half miles. The measure varied in different times and places, and, as now used, is estimated at from three and a half to four English miles. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Parascenia [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;; para` beside + &unr_; stage. ] (Greek & Rom. Antiq.) One of two apartments adjoining the stage, probably used as robing rooms. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., from Gr. &unr_;, lit., preparation. ] 1. Among the Jews, the evening before the Sabbath. [ Obs. ] Mark xv. 42 (Douay ver.) [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A preparation. [ R. ] Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_; to change from the true form. ] Of or pertaining to a change from the right form, as in the formation of a word from another by a change of termination, gender, etc. Max Müller. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Paraselenæ [ NL., from Gr. para` beside + selh`nh the moon: cf. F. parasélène. ] (Meteor.) A mock moon; an image of the moon which sometimes appears at the point of intersection of two lunar halos. Cf. Parhelion. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. -shoth r -shioth /plu>. [ Heb. pārāshāh. ] A lesson from the Torah, or Law, from which at least one section is read in the Jewish synagogue on every Sabbath and festival. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖ n.; pl. of Parashah. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. ] (Zool.) (a) An artificial group formerly made for parasitic insects, as lice, ticks, mites, etc. (b) A division of copepod Crustacea, having a sucking mouth, as the lerneans. They are mostly parasites on fishes. Called also Siphonostomata. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot. & Zool.) Of or pertaining to parasites; parasitic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. L. parasitus, Gr. para`sitos, lit., eating beside, or at the table of, another; para` beside + sitei^n to feed, from sitos wheat, grain, food. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. One who frequents the tables of the rich, or who lives at another's expense, and earns his welcome by flattery; a hanger-on; a toady; a sycophant. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou, with trembling fear,
Or like a fawning parasite, obey'st. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Parasites were called such smell-feasts as would seek to be free guests at rich men's tables. Udall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) (a) A plant obtaining nourishment immediately from other plants to which it attaches itself, and whose juices it absorbs; -- sometimes, but erroneously, called epiphyte. (b) A plant living on or within an animal, and supported at its expense, as many species of fungi of the genus Torrubia. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) (a) An animal which lives during the whole or part of its existence on or in the body of some other animal, feeding upon its food, blood, or tissues, as lice, tapeworms, etc. (b) An animal which steals the food of another, as the parasitic jager. (c) An animal which habitually uses the nest of another, as the cowbird and the European cuckoo. [ 1913 Webster ]