Fool's paradise. See under Fool, and Limbo.Grains of paradise. (Bot.) See Melequeta pepper, under Pepper.Paradise bird. (Zoöl.) Same as Bird of paradise. Among the most beautiful species are the superb (Lophorina superba); the magnificent (Diphyllodes magnifica); and the six-shafted paradise bird The long-billed paradise birds (Epimachinæ) also include some highly ornamental species, as the twelve-wired paradise bird which is black, yellow, and white, with six long breast feathers on each side, ending in long, slender filaments. See Bird of paradise in the Vocabulary.Paradise fish(Zoöl.), a beautiful fresh-water Asiatic fish (Macropodus viridiauratus) having very large fins. It is often kept alive as an ornamental fish.Paradise flycatcher(Zoöl.), any flycatcher of the genus Terpsiphone, having the middle tail feathers extremely elongated. The adult male of T. paradisi is white, with the head glossy dark green, and crested.Paradise grackle(Zoöl.), a very beautiful bird of New Guinea, of the genus Astrapia, having dark velvety plumage with brilliant metallic tints.Paradise nut(Bot.), the sapucaia nut. See Sapucaia nut. [Local, U. S.] — Paradise whidah bird. (Zoöl.) See Whidah.

Paradise
(Par"a*dise) v. t. To affect or exalt with visions of felicity; to entrance; to bewitch. [R.] Marston.

Paradisean
(Par`a*dis"e*an) a. Paradisiacal.

Paradised
(Par"a*dised) a. Placed in paradise; enjoying delights as of paradise.

Paradisiac
(Par`a*dis"i*ac Par`a*di*si"a*cal) a. [L. paradisiacus.] Of or pertaining to paradise; suitable to, or like, paradise. C. Kingsley. T. Burnet. "A paradisiacal scene." Pope.

The valley . . . is of quite paradisiac beauty.
G. Eliot.

Paradisial
(Par`a*dis"i*al Par`a*dis"i*an) a. Paradisiacal. [R.]

Paradisic
(Par`a*dis"ic) a. Paradisiacal. [R.] Broome.

Paradisical
(Par`a*dis"ic*al) a. Paradisiacal. [R.]

Parados
(Par`a*dos) n.; pl. Paradoses [F., fr. parer to defend + dos back, L. dorsum.] (Fort.) An intercepting mound, erected in any part of a fortification to protect the defenders from a rear or ricochet fire; a traverse. Farrow.

Paradox
(Par`a*dox) n.; pl. Paradoxes [F. paradoxe, L. paradoxum, fr. Gr. para` beside, beyond, contrary to + to think, suppose, imagine. See Para-, and Dogma.] A tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion; an assertion or sentiment seemingly contradictory, or opposed to common sense; that which in appearance or terms is absurd, but yet may be true in fact.

A gloss there is to color that paradox, and make it appear in show not to be altogether unreasonable.
Hooker.

This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof.
Shak.

Hydrostatic paradox. See under Hydrostatic.

3. A place of bliss; a region of supreme felicity or delight; hence, a state of happiness.

The earth
Shall be all paradise.
Milton.

Wrapt in the very paradise of some creative vision.
Beaconsfield.

4. (Arch.) An open space within a monastery or adjoining a church, as the space within a cloister, the open court before a basilica, etc.

5. A churchyard or cemetery. [Obs.] Oxf. Gloss.

Previous chapter/page Back Home Email this Search Discuss Bookmark Next chapter/page
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details.