Definitions for oxymoronˌɒk sɪˈmɔr ɒn, -ˈmoʊr-; -ˈmɔr ə, -ˈmoʊr ə

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ox•y•mo•ronˌɒk sɪˈmɔr ɒn, -ˈmoʊr-; -ˈmɔr ə, -ˈmoʊr ə(n.)(pl.)-mo•ra

  1. a figure of speech that uses seeming contradictions, as “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”

    Category: Rhetoric

Origin of oxymoron:

1650–60; < LGk oxýmōron, neut. of Gk oxýmōros pointedly foolish =oxý-oxy -1+mōrós dull (see moron )

ox•y•mo•ron•icˌɒk si məˈrɒn ɪk(adj.)

Princeton's WordNet

  1. oxymoron(noun)

    conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')

Wiktionary

  1. oxymoron(Noun)

    A figure of speech in which two words with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.

  2. oxymoron(Noun)

    A contradiction in terms.


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