I. ˈparəˌdäks also ˈper- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin paradoxum, from Greek paradoxon, from neuter of paradoxos contrary to expectation, incredible, from para- para (I) + -doxos (from dokein to think) — more at decent
1. : a tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion
2.
a. : a statement or sentiment that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet perhaps true in fact
present-day paradoxes like “mobilizing for peace” — E.R.May
paradox that the more terrible the prospect of thermonuclear war becomes, the less likely it is to happen — Blackwood's
here is a noble paradox : religion tries to satisfy man while its essential purpose is to make him dissatisfied — W.L.Sullivan
2.
b.
(1) : a statement that is actually self-contradictory and hence false even though its true character is not immediately apparent
(2) : an argument that apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by valid deduction from acceptable premises — see liar paradox , russell's paradox
3. : something (as a human being, phenomenon, state of affairs, or action) with seemingly contradictory qualities or phases
she is an interesting paradox , an infinitely shy person with an enormously intuitive gift for understanding people — Current Biography
the colonel … is a paradox — a well-known secret agent — John Kobler
there is paradox in the fact that the artist has come into his own in an age which hates him — W.P.Clancy
his lectures on mechanical paradoxes (such as man's lifting himself by his own bootstraps, rolling a barrel uphill by gravity) — C.W.Mitman
the paradox of impoverished people in a rich land — University of Minnesota Press Cat.
II. intransitive verb
: to utter paradoxes