[para.noia] n [NL, fr. Gk, madness, fr. paranous demented, fr. para- + nous mind] (ca. 1811) 1: a psychosis characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur usu. without hallucinations
2: a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others -- para.noi.ac also para.noic adj or n -- para.noi.cal.ly adv