Definition of: parachute

(par′ə·sht) noun
1. A large, expanding, umbrella-shaped apparatus for retarding the speed of a body descending through the air, especially from an airplane.
2. Zool. A lateral extension of the skin in flying squirrels, etc., enabling them to glide through the air.
—pilot parachute Aeron. A small parachute whose release serves to open the canopy of the main parachute quickly and with minimum danger of jamming or tearing.
—v. ·chut·ed, ·chut·ing v.t. To land (troops, materiel, etc.) by means of parachutes.
—v.i. To descend by parachute. [<F <para PARA-² + chute fall]