Definition:
A figure of speech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side by side; a compressed paradox. Adjective: oxymoronic.
Etymology:
From the Greek, "sharp-dull"Examples & Observations:
- "O brawling love! O loving hate! . . .
O heavy lightness! serious vanity!
Misshapen 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."
(William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet) - "A yawn may be defined as a silent yell."
(G.K. Chesterton) - "O miserable abundance, O beggarly riches!"
(John Donne, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions) - "That building is a little bit big and pretty ugly."
(James Thurber) - "I always avoid prophesying beforehand because it is much better to prophesy after the event has already taken place."
(Winston Churchill) - "The phrase 'domestic cat' is an oxymoron."
(George Will) - the expressions "act naturally," "original copy," "found missing," "alone together," "peace force," "definite possibility," "terribly pleased," "real phony," "ill health," "turn up missing," "jumbo shrimp," "alone together," "loose tights," "small crowd," and "clearly misunderstood"
Pronunciation: ox-see-MOR-on
