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antinomy

[an-tin-uh-mee]
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noun, plural an·tin·o·mies.
  1. opposition between one law, principle, rule, etc., and another.
  2. Philosophy. a contradiction between two statements, both apparently obtained by correct reasoning.
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Origin of antinomy

1585–95; < Latin antinomia < Greek antinomía a contradiction between laws. See anti-, -nomy
Related formsan·ti·nom·ic [an-ti-nom-ik] /ˌæn tɪˈnɒm ɪk/, an·ti·nom·i·cal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for antinomy

Historical Examples

  • But the antinomy is so familiar as to be scarcely observed by us.

    Philebus

    Plato

  • The antinomy will be resolved in the latter part of the chapter.

  • The reader will observe in this antinomy a very remarkable contrast.

  • Besides, we have already discussed this subject in the antinomy of pure reason.

  • Hence it is exposed to no danger of an antinomy of its own or to a conflict of its principles.

British Dictionary definitions for antinomy

antinomy

noun plural -mies
  1. opposition of one law, principle, or rule to another; contradiction within a law
  2. philosophy contradiction existing between two apparently indubitable propositions; paradox
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Derived Formsantinomic (ˌæntɪˈnɒmɪk), adjectiveantinomically, adverb

Word Origin

C16: from Latin antinomia, from Greek: conflict between laws, from anti- + nomos law
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for antinomy

n.

1590s, "contradiction in the laws," from Latin antinomia, from Greek antinomia "ambiguity in the law," from anti- "against" (see anti-) + nomos "law" (see numismatics). As a term in logic, from 1802 (Kant).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper