n. 1 a a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement, even if actually well-founded. b a self-contradictory or essentially absurd statement. 2 a person or thing conflicting with a preconceived notion of what is reasonable or possible. 3 a paradoxical quality or character.
[ orig. = a statement contrary to accepted opinion, f. LL paradoxum f. Gk paradoxon neut. adj. (as PARA-(1), doxa opinion) ]