‖n.; pl. Paramos [ Sp. pæramo. ] A high, bleak plateau or district, with stunted trees, and cold, damp atmosphere, as in the Andes, in South America. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. para- + Gr. morfh` form. ] 1. (Min.) A kind of pseudomorph, in which there has been a change of physical characters, by a change in crystal structure without alteration of chemical composition, as the change of aragonite to calcite; called also allomorph. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. (Biol.) A taxonomic variant observed within a species, for which a more specific term has not been assigned. [ PJC ]

-- par`a*mor"phic, a. -- par`a*mor"phous, a. [ PJC ]

n. (Min.) The change of one mineral species to another, so as to involve a change in physical characters without alteration of chemical composition. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Min.) Relating to paramorphism; exhibiting paramorphism. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. par amont above; par through, by (L. per) + amont above. See Amount. ] Having the highest rank or jurisdiction; superior to all others; chief; supreme; preëminent; as, a paramount duty. “A traitor paramount.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lady paramount (Archery), the lady making the best score. --
Lord paramount, the king. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. Superior; principal; preeminent; chief. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The highest or chief. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a paramount manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. par amour, lit., by or with love. See 2d Par, and Amour. ] 1. A lover, of either sex; a wooer or a mistress (formerly in a good sense, now only in a bad one); one who takes the place, without possessing the rights, of a husband or wife; -- used of a man or a woman. [ 1913 Webster ]

The seducer appeared with dauntless front, accompanied by his paramour Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Love; gallantry. [ Obs. ] “For paramour and jollity.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , adv. By or with love, esp. the love of the sexes; -- sometimes written as two words. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

For par amour, I loved her first ere thou. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]