oxymoron
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From 5th century Latin oxymoron, from Ancient Greek ὀξύς (oxus, “sharp”) (English oxy-, as in oxygen) + μωρός (mōros, “dull”) (English moron (“stupid person”)).[1] Literally “sharp-dull”, itself an oxymoron, hence autological; compare sophomore (literally “wise fool”), influenced by similar analysis. The compound form *ὀξύμωρον (oxumōron) is not found in the extant Greek sources.[2]
[edit] Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA: /ɒksɪˈmɔːɹɒn/, SAMPA: /QksI"mO:r\Qn/
- (US) enPR: äk-sē-môrʹ-än, äk-sĭ-môrʹ-än, IPA: /ˌɑksiˈmɔɹɑn/, /ɑksɪˈmɔɹɑn/, SAMPA: /Aksi"mOr\An/, /AksI"mOr\An/
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Audio (US) (file)
[edit] Noun
oxymoron (plural oxymorons or oxymora)
- (rhetoric) A figure of speech in which two words with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.
- A famous example is Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 1, ll. 63-4:
- No light, but rather darkness visible
- Serv'd only to discover sights of woe
- A famous example is Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 1, ll. 63-4:
- (general) A contradiction in terms.
[edit] Usage notes
- Traditionally, the word oxymoron is used in cases where the contradiction is deliberate, its purpose being to emphasize or heighten a contrast. The use of oxymoron as a synonym for contradiction in terms is considered incorrect by some speakers and writers, and is perhaps best avoided in certain contexts. (See the Wikipedia article.)
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Translations
figure of speech
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contradiction in terms — see contradiction in terms
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- List of oxymorons
- Lee’s Complete Oxymoron List, with discussion of classification (archive)