Where does “paradox” come from?

Paradox comes from Middle French paradoxe, from Latin paradoxum, from Ancient Greek παράδοξος, combining παρά with δόξα meaning "opinion," ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root deḱ-.

paradox (English): An apparently self-contradictory statement, which...

Definitions

  1. An apparently self-contradictory statement, which...

Ancestry of “paradox”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchparadoxe
2Latinparadoxumparadox
3Ancient Greekπαράδοξοςcontrary to expectation, strange, incredible
4Ancient Greekπαρά
5LatinverēdusA fast or light breed of horse; courier's horse; hunter
6Gaulishwerēdoshorse
7Proto-Celtic*uɸoreidoshorse

Words derived from “paradox

Every word from Proto-Celtic *uɸoreidosEvery word from Gaulish werēdosEvery word from Latin verēdus
paradox — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer