See Also: parachute(medicine)
Parachute(money)
parachute(1)(dictionary)
parachute(2)(dictionary)
parachute(encyclopedia)
golden parachute(dictionary)
Pension parachute(finance)
Golden parachute(finance)
Pension parachute(money)
parachute 1, noun(dictionary)

parachute(1) (iou)



parachute noun & adjective. L18.
[French, formed as PARA-2 + chute fall.]
A. noun.
A device to prevent an unsafe increase in the rate of fall of a person or object from a great height (esp. from an aircraft), consisting when open of a large umbrella-like sheet of fabric with wires or ropes attached round the edge and converging on a harness, basket, etc., attached to their lower end; a similar umbrella-like device released from an aircraft on landing to act as a brake; transf. a thing acting like or resembling a parachute, spec. = golden parachute s.v. GOLDEN adjective. L18.
A broad-brimmed hat with a bulging crown, worn by women in the late 18th cent. L18-L19.
b. attrib. or as adjective. Dropped or meant for dropping by parachute; involving the use of a parachute. M19.
parachute flare, parachute jump, parachute troops, etc.
parachutage noun a drop of supplies etc. by parachute M20.
parachutist noun a person who makes a descent by parachute, esp. habitually; a soldier trained in making parachute descents: L19.