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par·a·dox Audio Help (pār'ə-dŏks') Pronunciation Key
n.

A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true: the paradox that standing is more tiring than walking.
One exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects: "The silence of midnight, to speak truly, though apparently a paradox, rung in my ears" (Mary Shelley).
An assertion that is essentially self-contradictory, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.
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).]

par'a·dox'i·cal adj., par'a·dox'i·cal·ly adv., par'a·dox'i·cal·ness n.

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