antinomy

an·tin·o·my

noun \an-ˈti-nə-mē\

plural an·tin·o·mies

Definition of ANTINOMY

1

: a contradiction between two apparently equally valid principles or between inferences correctly drawn from such principles

2

: a fundamental and apparently unresolvable conflict or contradiction <antinomies of beauty and evil, freedom and slavery — Stephen Holden>

— an·ti·nom·ic \ˌan-ti-ˈnä-mik\ adjective

Origin of ANTINOMY

German Antinomie, from Latin antinomia conflict of laws, from Greek, from anti- + nomos law — more at nimble

First Known Use: 1592