A parachute is a device made of fabric that opens in the air to slow down a person or object falling from a height. It helps people land more safely from planes or high places.
From French 'parachute', from 'para-' meaning 'guard against' and 'chute' meaning 'fall'. It literally means 'protection against falling'.
The word 'parachute' is wonderfully literal in French: it just means 'fall-protector'. Behind the dramatic image of a skydiver is a very simple idea—this thing’s whole job is to argue with gravity.
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