paradigmatic

[ par-uh-dig-mat-ik ]

/ ˌpær ə dɪgˈmæt ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR paradigmatic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to a paradigm.

Linguistics. pertaining to a relationship among linguistic elements that can substitute for each other in a given context, as the relationship of sun in The sun is shining to other nouns, as moon, star, or light, that could substitute for it in that sentence, or of is shining to was shining, shone, will shine, etc., as well as to is rising, is setting, etc.Compare syntagmatic.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

paradichlorobenzene, paradiddle, paradidymis, paradigm, paradigm shift, paradigmatic, paradipsia, paradisaical, paradisal, paradise, paradise duck

Sometimes par·a·dig·mat·i·cal.

Origin of paradigmatic

1655–65; < Greek paradeigmatikós, equivalent to paradeigmat-, stem of parádeigma paradigm + -ikos -ic

Related forms

par·a·dig·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb

Examples from the Web for paradigmatic

Though held in contempt by a large plurality of the nation, Cheney qualifies as a paradigmatic American, like it or not.
The Quintessential American|James Carroll|December 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST
These inflections are used chiefly in the paradigmatic combinations.
On the Evolution of Language|John Wesley Powell
It should here be noted that paradigmatic inflections are used for two distinct purposes, qualification and relation.
On the Evolution of Language|John Wesley Powell
It is worthy of remark that all paradigmatic inflection in a civilized tongue is a relic of its barbaric condition.
On the Evolution of Language|John Wesley Powell

In an Indian language it is usually found difficult to elaborate a system of tenses in paradigmatic form.
On the Evolution of Language|John Wesley Powell