Paradigma

//paɹ.əˈdɪɡ.ma// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A written pattern of inflection for parts of speach, especially organized into a tabular form. rare

    "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."

  2. 2
    By extension, a mode or exemplar. rare

    "[…]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."

Example

More examples

"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."

Etymology

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.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.