parachute

noun pah-rah-SHOOT Rare

Origin: French coinage: 'para-' (against) + 'chute' (fall)

Usage Note

Parachute was coined in French in the 18th century by combining para- (to guard against) and chute (fall). The verb parachuter means both to parachute someone into a location and, colloquially, to place someone in a job without due process — il a été parachuté directeur (he was parachuted in as director).

Examples

"Il a sauté en parachute pour la première fois."

Natural Translation

He jumped with a parachute for the first time.

Literal Translation

He jumped by parachute for the first time.

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