oxymoron

oxymoron
oxymoron (n.) 1650s, from Gk. oxymoron, noun use of neuter of oxymoros (adj.) "pointedly foolish," from oxys "sharp" (see ACRID (Cf. acrid)) + moros "stupid" (see MORON (Cf. moron)). Rhetorical figure by which contradictory terms are conjoined so as to give point to the statement or expression; the word itself is an illustration of the thing. Now often used loosely to mean "contradiction in terms."

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  • oxymoron — [ ɔksimɔrɔ̃ ] n. m. • 1765; gr. oxumôron, de oxus « aigu » et môros « sot, fou » ♦ Rhét. Figure qui consiste à allier deux mots de sens contradictoires pour leur donner plus de force expressive (ex. Une douce violence; hâte toi lentement). On dit …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • oxymoron — is derived from two Greek words opposed in meaning, oxus ‘sharp’ and moros ‘dull’ or ‘stupid’. It is a figure of speech in which two words of opposite meaning are brought together for special effect, e.g. a cheerful pessimist and harmonious… …   Modern English usage

  • oxymoron — [äk΄si môr′än΄] n. pl. oxymora [äk΄si mô′rə] [LGr oxymōron < neut. of oxymōros, acutely silly: see OXY 2 & MORON] a figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory ideas or terms are combined (Ex.: thunderous silence, sweet sorrow)… …   English World dictionary

  • Oxymoron — Ox y*mo ron, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ???, fr. ??? pointedly foolish; oxy s sharp + mwro s foolish.] (Rhet.) A figure in which an epithet of a contrary signification is added to a word; e. g., cruel kindness; laborious idleness. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Oxymōron — (gr.), ein scharfsinniger od. witziger Gedanke, der dem ersten Ansehen nach albern scheint, z.B. du schweigst, aber redest laut; od. ein witziger Contrast von widersprechenden Begriffen, z.B. süßer Schmerz, bitteres Vergnügen, eile mit Weile …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Oxymōron — (griech., »witzig dumm«), rhetorische Figur, bestehend in der sinnreichen Verbindung zweier sich scheinbar widersprechender Begriffe, z. B. ein beredtes Schweigen, geschäftiger Müßiggang …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Oxymoron — Oxymōron (grch.), spitzfindige Zusammenstellung von zwei sich scheinbar widersprechenden Begriffen (z.B. geschäftiger Müßiggang) …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • oxymoron — ► NOUN ▪ a figure of speech or expressed idea in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g. bittersweet). DERIVATIVES oxymoronic adjective. ORIGIN from Greek oxum ros pointedly foolish …   English terms dictionary

  • Oxymoron — This article is about the contradiction in terms. For the punk band, see Oxymoron (band). An oxymoron (plural oxymorons or oxymora) (from Greek ὀξύμωρον, sharp dull ) is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. Oxymorons appear in a… …   Wikipedia

  • Oxymoron — Ein Oxymoron (griechisch οξύμωρος oxys ‚scharf(sinnig)‘ und moros ‚dumm‘; Mehrzahl: Oxymora) ist eine rhetorische Figur, bei der eine Formulierung aus zwei gegensätzlichen, einander (scheinbar) widersprechenden oder sich gegenseitig… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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