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paradox
(redirected from Paradoxes)

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
par·a·dox  (pr-dks)
n.
1. A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true: the paradox that standing is more tiring than walking.
2. One exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects: "The silence of midnight, to speak truly, though apparently a paradox, rung in my ears" Mary Shelley.
3. An assertion that is essentially self-contradictory, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.
4. A statement contrary to received opinion.

[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 Indo-European roots).]

para·doxi·cal adj.
para·doxi·cal·ly adv.
para·doxi·cal·ness n.

paradox
Noun
1. a statement that seems self-contradictory but may be true: it's a strange paradox that a musician must practise improvising to become a good improviser
2. a self-contradictory proposition, such as I always tell lies
3. a person or thing that is made up of contradictory elements [Greek paradoxos opposed to existing notions]
paradoxical adj
paradoxically adv
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.paradoxparadox - (logic) a statement that contradicts itself; "`I always lie' is a paradox because if it is true it must be false"
logic - the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
contradiction in terms, contradiction - (logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement `he is brave and he is not brave' is a contradiction"

paradox
Translations
Spanish paradox [ˈpærədɔks] nparadoja
French paradox [ˈpærədɔks] nparadoxe m
German paradox [ˈpærədɔks] nParadox nt
Italian paradox [ˈpærədɔks] nparadosso

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