Main Entry: ¹par·a·mount

Pronunciation: \ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt, ˈpa-rə-\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Anglo-French paramont, from par by (from Latin per) + amunt above, from a to (from Latin ad) + munt mountain — more at for, at, mount

Date: 1531

: superior to all others : supreme <a matter of paramount importance>

synonyms see dominant

— par·a·mount·cy \-ˌmau̇n(t)-sē\ noun

— par·a·mount·ly \-ˌmau̇nt-lē\ adverb