parasol
/,pærə'sɔl/
Definition
Noun: A parasol is a lightweight, handheld, and usually collapsible device, typically made of fabric stretched over a folding frame, used to provide shade from the sun.
Examples
- She carried a white lace parasol to protect herself from the midday sun.
- In many historical paintings, noblewomen are depicted strolling with elegant parasols.
- The beach vendor sold hats, sunglasses, and colorful parasols.
Usage
The word parasol specifically denotes a sunshade. It is distinct from an umbrella, which is primarily designed for protection from rain. A parasol is often associated with fashion, leisure, and historical contexts, though modern versions are still used for sun protection.
Advanced Usage
- "Parasol pine": This is a common name for the Italian stone pine (), a tree with a distinctive, broad, flat-topped canopy that resembles the shape of an open parasol.
- "Parasol mushroom": Refers to certain edible mushroom species, notably from the genus , which have a large, broad cap on a tall, slender stalk, giving them a parasol-like appearance.
Variants and Related Words
- Sunshade (n): A more general term for any object that provides shade from the sun, which can include parasols, awnings, or canopies.
- Umbrella (n): A device with a canopy on a collapsible frame, used primarily as protection against rain or, in some cases, sun. The key difference is its primary function.
Synonyms
- Sun umbrella: A direct synonym, emphasizing its purpose.
- Shade: While much broader, in context it can refer to the protection a parasol provides.
Related Phrases
- To carry/use a parasol: The standard phrase for employing one.
- It was fashionable for ladies to carry a parasol in the Victorian era.
Noun
-
a handheld collapsible source of shade
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