Paradeigma

Paradeigma is a Greek noun meaning an example, pattern, or model used to illustrate a rule or argument. The word comes from paradeigma, formed from para- “beside” and deigma “a showing, sample” (from deiknunai “to show”). In linguistic and historical discussions, paradeigma is recognized as the etymon of the English word paradigm, and by extension its related terms.

In classical rhetoric and philosophy, paradeigma denotes an exemplary case presented to demonstrate a general principle or to instruct in reasoning. It functions as a concrete model that students or readers can imitate, test, or compare with other instances to understand how a principle operates in practice. Because of its instructional role, paradeigma is often discussed in analyses of argument structure and demonstration.

Modern usage often prefers paradigm for broader theoretical frameworks, sets of typical examples, or a guiding model within a discipline. Paradeigma remains a scholarly term mainly in etymological or historical contexts, illustrating how Greek roots influenced later concepts of modeling and exemplification. In contemporary language, the modern Greek word for “example” is παράδειγμα (parádigma), reflecting the same root.

See also: paradigm, exemplar, model, example, deigma. Paradeigma is primarily of historical and linguistic interest in English, cited mainly when tracing the origins of terms like paradigm or when discussing ancient Greek rhetoric and logic.