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par·a·dox

(părə-dŏks′)

1. A statement that seems to contradict itself but may nonetheless be true: the paradox that standing is more tiring than walking.

2. A person, thing, or situation that exhibits inexplicable or contradictory aspects: "The silence of midnight, to speak truly, though apparently a paradox, rung in my ears" (Mary Shelley).

3. A statement that is self-contradictory or logically untenable, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.

[Latin paradoxum, from Greek paradoxon, from neuter sing. of paradoxos, conflicting with expectation : para-, beyond; see PARA-¹ + doxa, opinion (from dokein, to think; see dek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).]

par′a·doxi·cal adj.

par′a·doxi·cal·ly adv.

par′a·doxi·cal·ness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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