R E F E R E N C E S
Paradox n [L paradoxum, fr. GK paradoxon, fr. neut. of paradoxos contrary to expectation, fr. para- + dokein to think, seem -more at Decent] [1140] 1: a tenet contrary to received opinion 2a: a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true b: a self-contradictory statement that at first seems true c: an arguemnt that apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by valid deduuction from acceptable premises 3: something or someone with seemingly contradictory qualities or phases
Paradoxical adj [1581] 1a: of the nature of a paradox b: inclined to paradoxes 2: not being the normal or usual kind [__ pulse]
[Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition. Springfield, MA, USA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. 1995.]
Paradox [< L paradox(um) < GK parádoxon, n. use of neut. of parádoxos unbelievable, lit., beyond what is thought. See PARA-1, ORTHODOX] 1. a statement or proposition seemingly self-contradictory or absurd but inr eality expressing a possible truth. 2. a self-contradictory and false proposition. 3. any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently cntradictory nature. 4. an opinion or statement contrary to commonly accepted opinion.
[Urdang, Laurence, ed. Random House Dictionary of The English Language. New York: Random House, 1968.]
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