Parapluie is a French word for umbrella. There are plenty of synonyms for the term, umbrella, used commonly in English language such as parasol, sunshade, bumbershoot, canopy, rainshade, guard, shield, shade, screen and so forth. While each of these words refers to a device that provides shelter, protection or shade, there are subtle differences between them that reflects their usage more specifically. Parasol typically refers to an umbrella that provides shade from the sun rather than rain. Bumbershoot is a word of American English origin that has become synonymous with umbrella, especially in North American parlance. Similarly, Rainshade and rain umbrella specifically refer to the umbrella that protects against rain.