Etymology : Middle English paradis, from Old French, from Late Latin paradisus, from Greek paradeisos, literally, enclosed park, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan pairi-daEza- enclosure; akin to Greek peri around and to Greek teichos wall; more at PERI-, DOUGH
Pronunciation : 'par-&-"dIs, -"dIz
Function : noun
Date : 12th century
1. heaven, Garden of Eden. paradise\par"a*dise\ , n. [oe. & f. paradis, l. paradisus, fr. gr. para`deisos park, paradise, fr. zend pairidaēza an inclosure; pairi around (akin to gr. ) + diz to throw up, pile up; cf. skr. dih to smear, and e. dough. cf. parvis.].
2. the garden of eden, in which adam and eve were placed after their creation.
3. the abode of sanctified souls after death. to-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. i.
4. it sounds to him like her mother's voice, singing in paradise.
5. a place of bliss; a region of supreme felicity or delight; hence, a state of happiness. the earth shall be all paradise. wrapt in the very paradise of some creative vision.
6. (arch.) an open space within a monastery or adjoining a church, as the space within a cloister, the open court before a basilica, etc.
7. a churchyard or cemetery. [obs.] gloss.
8. The garden of Eden, in which Adam and Eve were placed after their creation.
9. The abode of sanctified souls after death.
10. A place of bliss; a region of supreme felicity or delight; hence, a state of happiness.
11. An open space within a monastery or adjoining a church, as the space within a cloister, the open court before a basilica, etc.
12. A churchyard or cemetery.
13. To affect or exalt with visions of felicity; to entrance; to bewitch. the abode of righteous souls after death.
14. 1. According to some religions, paradise is a wonderful place where people go after they die, if they have led good lives. The Koran describes paradise as a place containing a garden of delight = heaven.
15. You can refer to a place or situation that seems beautiful or perfect as paradise or a paradise. one of the world's great natural paradises.
16. You can use paradise to say that a place is very attractive to a particular kind of person and has everything they need for a particular activity. The Algarve is a golfer's paradise see also:
fool's paradise.