Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Paramount \Par"a*mount\, a. [OF. par amont above; par through,
   by (L. per) + amont above. See {Amount}.]
   Having the highest rank or jurisdiction; superior to all
   others; chief; supreme; pre["e]minent; as, a paramount duty.
   ``A traitor paramount.'' --Bacon.

   {Lady paramount} (Archery), the lady making the best score.
      

   {Lord paramount}, the king.

   Syn: Syn. Superior; principal; pre["e]minent; chief.

Paramount \Par"a*mount\, n.
   The highest or chief. --Milton.

Source : WordNet®

paramount
     adj : having superior power and influence; "the predominant mood
           among policy-makers is optimism" [syn: {overriding}, {predominant},
            {predominate}, {preponderant}, {preponderating}]