paradigm

par·a·digm

noun \ˈper-ə-ˌdīm, ˈpa-rə- also -ˌdim\

Definition of PARADIGM

1

: example, pattern; especially : an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype

2

: an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms

3

: a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated; broadly : a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind

— par·a·dig·mat·ic \ˌper-ə-dig-ˈma-tik, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective

— par·a·dig·mat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of PARADIGM

1. Her recent book provides us with a new paradigm for modern biography.
2. the Freudian paradigm of psychoanalysis
3. a new study that challenges the current evolutionary paradigm
4. And the paradigm of a thing to be philosophical about is death. —Jim Holt, New York Times Book Review, 15 Feb. 2009
5. Such problems drive home a critical flaw in the paradigm of energy independence—namely, that energy isn't a zero-sum game anymore. —Paul Roberts, Mother Jones, May/June 2008
6. That the biomedical paradigm of single cause and single disease was a chimera was well understood by even its most vigorous advocates. —Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007

Origin of PARADIGM

Late Latin paradigma, from Greek paradeigma, from paradeiknynai to show side by side, from para- + deiknynai to show — more at diction

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Philosophy Terms

dialectic, dualism, epistemology, existentialism, metaphysics, ontology, sequitur, solipsism, transcendentalism

Rhymes with PARADIGM

access time, aftertime, anytime, beforetime, Bettelheim, borrowed time, central time, Christmastime, common time, dinnertime, double prime, double-time, drop a dime, eastern time, elapsed time, Father Time, harvesttime, Hildesheim, in jig time, just-in-time, Kaffir lime, lemon thyme, local time, lysozyme, Mannerheim, maritime, monorhyme, mountain time, nursery rhyme, on a dime, overtime, pantomime, Pappenheim, question time, released time, running time, soda lime, standard time, summertime, take one's time, vowel rhyme, wintertime