Origin: Greek prefix para-
Paramilitary has 4 different meanings across 2 categories:
a group of civilians organized in a military fashion (especially to operate in place of or to assist regular army troops)
A group of civilians trained and organized in a military fashion, but which do not represent the formal forces of a sovereign power.
of or relating to a group of civilians organized to function like or to assist a military unit
relating to a paramilitary