Paradox

Friday 14^th October 2016

Paradox - /ˈparədɒks/

Noun

1. A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.

2. A statement or proposition which, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems logically unacceptable or self-contradictory.

3. A person or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.

Example sentences

Noun

‘The uncertainty principle leads to all sorts of paradoxes, like the particles being in two places at once’

‘The liar paradox’

‘Cathedrals face the paradox of having enormous wealth in treasures but huge annual expenses’

Origin

Mid 16th century (originally denoting a statement contrary to accepted opinion): via late Latin from Greek paradoxon contrary (opinion), neuter adjective used as a noun, from para- distinct from + doxa opinion.

Thanks to: www.oxforddictionaries.com