paradise

¹

[ par-uh-dahys, -dahyz ]

noun

1. heaven, as the final abode of the righteous.
2. an intermediate place for the departed souls of the righteous awaiting resurrection.
3. (often initial capital letter) Eden ¹( def 1 ).
4. a place of extreme beauty, delight, or happiness.
5. a state of supreme happiness; bliss.
6. Architecture.
   1. parvis.
   2. an enclosure beside a church, as an atrium or cloister.
7. (initial capital letter, italics) Italian Pa·ra·di·so [pah-, r, ah-, dee, -zaw]. the third and concluding part of Dante's Divine Comedy, depicting heaven, through which he is guided by Beatrice. Compare inferno ( def 3 ), purgatory ( def 2 ).

Paradise

²

[ par-uh-dahys, -dahyz ]

noun

1. a town in N California.

paradise

/ ˈpærəˌdaɪs /

noun

1. heaven as the ultimate abode or state of the righteous
2. Islam the sensual garden of delights that the Koran promises the faithful after death
3. Also calledlimbo (according to some theologians) the intermediate abode or state of the just prior to the Resurrection of Jesus, as in Luke 23:43
4. the place or state of happiness enjoyed by Adam before the first sin; the Garden of Eden
5. any place or condition that fulfils all one's desires or aspirations
6. a park in which foreign animals are kept

paradise

1. A place or state of pure happiness. Christians (see also Christian ) have identified paradise both with the Garden of Eden and with heaven .

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradise¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English paradīs, from Late Latin paradīsus, from Greek parádeisos “park, pleasure-grounds,” from Old Iranian; compare Avestan pairi-daēza “enclosure”; akin to Greek perí peri- ( def ), teîkhos “mound, wall”

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradise¹

Old English, from Church Latin paradīsus, from Greek paradeisos garden, of Persian origin; compare Avestan pairidaēza enclosed area, from pairi- around + daēza wall

Idioms and Phrases

see fool's paradise .

Example Sentences

Flesh encircled him at the main pool of the Paradise Hotel and Residences at Boca.

From The Daily Beast

Julia Cooke is the author of The Other Side of Paradise: Life in the New Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

“Paradise lies at the feet of mothers,” Erdogan said on Monday, quoting the Prophet Muhammad.

From The Daily Beast

In Turkey, some mothers find their paradise at the Esme Beltagy Center in Esenler, while others see paradise receding.

From The Daily Beast

It may have looked like paradise, but a rebellion was brewing around the Davises.

From The Daily Beast

So we put on our things, and proceeded to walk along the river to a place called Paradise, on account of its loveliness.

From Project Gutenberg

The effect was that of a bird of Paradise bringing balm to our overwrought nerves.

From Project Gutenberg

Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.

From Project Gutenberg

Now suddenly, unexpectedly, she knew she had been living in a fool's paradise, into which Nigel had led her.

From Project Gutenberg

I never knew a Christian so confident of going to Paradise, or less eager to set out.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bliss
• heaven
• utopia
• wonderland