paradigma

pa·ra·dig·ma
P3A1R1A1D2I1G2M3A1
UK/paɹ.əˈdɪɡ.ma/US/ˌpɛr.əˈdɪɡ.mə/

noun

A written pattern of inflection for parts of speech, especially organized into a tabular form.

UncommonScrabble 15

Meanings

nounparadigma (plural paradigmata)

plural paradigmata

  1. rareA written pattern of inflection for parts of speech, especially organized into a tabular form.

    The volume before us presents, first of all, a paradigma, or specimen sheet, on which each letter of the English alphabet, small and capital, written and printed, is accompanied by its pronunciation in Chinese phonetic signs, as well as in Mandchou letters.

    1844, John Holmes Agnew, Walter Hilliard Bidwell, The Eclectic Magazine, page 569
  2. broadlyrarerhetoricA mode or exemplar.

    No paradigma prescribed a recto tono recitative.

    2004, Analecta Romana Instituti Danici, page 247
    1 more example

    […]and it precedes, moreover, together with VII and VIII ὸ ἱερεύς και ἡ ἱέρεια the paradigma τό σκαμνίον. / Further there is nothing to be wondered at, neither as to the paradigma of το σκαμνισν nor as to the priestess: these examples are taken from the famous Ars Grammatica of Donatus, and in particular the Ars minor.

    1985, Krijnie Ciggaar, Jos. M.M. Hermans, Byzantium and the Low Countries in the Tenth Century: Aspects of Art and History in the Ottonian Era, →ISBN, page 92

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekπαράδειγμα“pattern”
  2. Late Latinparadīgma
  3. Englishparadigma

From Late Latin paradīgma, from Ancient Greek παράδειγμα (parádeigma, “pattern”). As a loanword in both languages, paradigma typically maintains the Greek plural form in both Latin and English. Doublet of paradigm.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

paradigma. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paradigma

MLA

“paradigma.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paradigma. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “paradigma,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paradigma.

Source: paradigma on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.