Parasol
/ˈpær.ə.sɒl/noun
A light umbrella used for protection from the sun.
Did you know?The word entered European fashion from Italian and French, where it was built from roots meaning “to stop” and “the sun,” turning a simple shade into a tiny anti-solar ritual object.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
parāre
“to prepare, make ready”
Italian
Italian
parare il sole
“to shield from the sun”
17th Century
French
parasol
“a sunshade or small umbrella”
18th Century
English
parasol
“a light umbrella for protection from sunlight”
Modern English
English
parasol
“a light umbrella used to shade the sun”