I. ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt, ˈpa-rə- adjective
Etymology: Anglo-French paramont, from par by (from Latin per ) + amunt above, from a to (from Latin ad ) + munt mountain — more at for , at , mount
Date: 1531
: superior to all others : supreme
a matter of paramount importance
Synonyms: see dominant
• par·a·mount·cy -ˌmau̇n(t)-sē noun
• par·a·mount·ly -ˌmau̇nt-lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1616
: a supreme ruler