Oxymoron

Not to be confused with Oxymoron (band).

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An oxymoron (plural "oxymora") (noun) is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms (e.g. "anarchy rules"). Oxymoron is a Greek term derived from the adjectives oxys ("sharp, keen") and moros ("blunt, dull"). Oxymora are a proper subset of the expressions called contradiction in terms. What distinguishes oxymora from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept.

Related Topics:
Figure of speech - Greek - Contradiction in terms

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The most common form of oxymoron involves an adjective–noun combination. For example, the following line from Tennyson's Idylls of the King contains two oxymora:

Related Topics:
Adjective - Noun - Tennyson

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:"And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true"

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