ox·y·mo·ron
n.
pl.
ox·y·mo·ra
or
ox·y·mo·rons
A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in
Microsoft Security, Microsoft Help
and
Microsoft Works.
[Greek
oxumoron
, from neuter of
oxumoros
,
pointedly foolish
:
oxus
,
sharp
; see
oxygen
+
moros
,
foolish, dull
.]
ox·y·mo·ron·ic
adj.
ox·y·mo·ron·i·cal·ly
adv.
Portions sourced from
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.