Oxymoron
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /É’ksɪˈmÉ”Ëɹɒn/
- US enPR: äk-sē-môrʹ-än, IPA: /ˌɑksiˈmɔɹɑn/, /ɑksɪˈmɔɹɑn/
Origin
First attested in the 17th century, noun use of 5th century Latin oxymÅrum (adj.), neut. nom. form of oxymÅrus (adj.), from Ancient Greek ὀξÏμωÏος (oxumÅros, ""), compound of ὀξÏÏ‚ (oxus, "sharp, keen") (English oxy-, as in oxygen) + μωÏός (mÅros, "dull, stupid") (English moron ("stupid person")).
L&S|1=oxymÅrus|2=oxymorus
LSJ|o)cu/mwros|ὀξÏμωÏος
Literally “sharp-dull†or "keen-stupid", itself an oxymoron, hence autological; compare sophomore, influenced by similar analysis. The compound form *ὀξÏμωÏον is not found in the extant Ancient Greek sources.
OED: http://dictionary.oed.com.ezproxy.sfpl.org/cgi/entry/50168789
Full definition of oxymoron
Noun
- 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 visibleServ'd only to discover sights of woe
- Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 1. Scene 1, in which Romeo utters nine oxymora in just six lines of soliloquy:Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate,O anything, from nothing first create,O heavy lightness! Serious vanity!Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms,Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health,Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!This love feel I, that feel no love in this.
- (general) A contradiction in terms.
Usage notes
Traditionally, the word oxymoron is used in cases where the contradiction is deliberate, its purpose being to emphasize or heighten a contrast so as to make a point. 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 oxymoron.)