Webster's English Dictionary

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paradox

par.a.dox \'par-*-.da:ks\ \.par-*-'da:k-si-k*l\ \-k(*-)le-\ \-k*l-n*s\ n [L 
   paradoxum, fr. Gk paradoxon, fr. neut. of paradoxos contra]ry to 
   expectation, fr. para- + dokein to think - more at DECENT 1: a tenet 
   contrary to received opinion  2a: a statement that is seemingly 
   contradictory or opposed to common sense  and yet is perhaps true 2b: a 
   self-contradictory statement that at first seems true  2c: an argument that 
   apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by v alid deduction from 
   acceptable premises 3: something (as a person, condition, or act) with 
   seemingly contradictory  qualities or phases - par.a.dox.i.cal aj