General: A typical example of something.
Grammar: A set of word forms giving all of the possible inflections
(declensions, conjugations) of a word.
Philosophy of science: A framework of concepts,
results, and procedures within which subsequent work is carried out,
as defined by the influential Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996) in his classic
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962).
“Normal science” proceeds within such a framework or paradigm.
When a paradigm has to be changed (→ paradigm shift),
there comes about a crisis and then scientific
revolution. For example, Newton’s mechanical paradigm
was replaced by the paradigm of Einstein’s relativistic universe.
Each paradigm is an interpretation of the world, rather than an objective explanation.
For criticism of Kuhn’s views, see, e.g.,
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Term now occurring frequently in every kind of discourse,
usually to mean something like “way of thinking” or “approach to a
problem.”
Etymology (EN): L.L. paradigma “pattern, example,” especially in grammar, from Gk. paradeigma
“pattern, model,” from paradeiknynai “to exhibit, show side by side,”
from → para- “beside” +
deiknynai “to show,” related to
dokein “to appear, seem, think,”
cognate with Av. daēs- “to show” (Mod.Pers. andišé, andiš
“thought, think,” see below); Skt. diś- “to show,
point out,” diśati “he shows;”
L. dicere “to utter;” PIE base *deik- “to
show, to pronounce.”
Etymology (PE): Parâdiš, pârâdiš, from parâ-, pârâ,
→ para- + diš “to show,” as in
andiš, andišidan “to → think” (related to
dis, disé, → form);
Sogd. andiš “to seem,” andêš “to show,” andêšik
“appearing;”
ultimately from
Av. daēs- “to show,” s-aorist forms dāiš-, dôiš-,
diš-, akin to Gk. deiknynai “to show,” as above,
dike “manner, custom;” Skt. diś- “to show, point out;”
L. dicere “to utter, say;” O.H.G. zeigon,
Ger. zeigen “to show;” O.E. teon “to accuse,” tæcan “to teach.”
