oxymoron

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WOTD - 12 July 2006    

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology

From 5th cen. Latin oxymoron, from Ancient Greek ὀξύς (oxus), “‘sharp’”) + μωρός (mōros), “‘dull’”) [1]. Greek ὀξύμωρον (oxumōron) is not found in the extant Greek sources, according to the OED [2].

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
oxymoron

Plural
oxymorons or oxymora

oxymoron (plural oxymorons or oxymora)

  1. 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
  2. (loosely) A contradiction in terms.
  3. A paradoxical juxtaposition of two seemingly contradictory words.

[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] Translations

figure of speech
contradiction in terms — see contradiction in terms

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/oxymoron"