par•a•chute
Pronunciation: (par'u-sht"), [key]
— n., v., -chut•ed, -chut•ing.
—n.
- a folding, umbrellalike, fabric device with cords supporting a harness or straps for allowing a person, object, package, etc., to float down safely through the air from a great height, esp. from an aircraft, rendered effective by the resistance of the air that expands it during the descent and reduces the velocity of its fall.
- See
- a shockproofing device for the balance staff of a watch, consisting of a yielding, springlike support for the bearing at either end.
-
- the aggregate of benefits, as severance pay or vacation pay, given an employee who is dismissed from a company.
- Seegolden parachute.
—v.t.
- to drop or land (troops, equipment, supplies, etc.) by parachute.
—v.i.
- to descend by parachute.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.