Do not confuse this prefix with pari- or peri-. (1) Prefix denoting a departure from the normal. (2) Prefix denoting involvement of two like parts or a pair. (3) Prefix denoting adjacent, alongside, near. (4) (p-), In chemistry, an italicized prefix denoting two substitutions in the benzene ring arranged symmetrically, i.e., linked to opposite carbon atoms in the ring. For words beginning with para- or p-, see the specific name. [G. alongside, near]