n.
Pronunciation: ' per- ə - ˌ shüt, ' pa-r ə -
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from para- (as in parasol ) + chute fall ― more at CHUTE
Date: 1785
1 : a device for slowing the descent of a person or object through the air that consists of a fabric canopy beneath which the person or object is suspended
2 : PATAGIUM
3 : a device or structure suggestive of a parachute in form, use, or operation
– para · chut · ic \ ˌ per- ə - ' shü-tik, ˌ pa-r ə - \ adjective