[ ˌɒksɪ'mɔ:rɒn ]
■ noun a figure of speech or expressed idea in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction: ‘affordable caviar’ need not be an ~.
Derivatives
~ic adjective
Origin
C17: from Gk oxumōron , neut. (used asnoun) of oxumōros 'pointedly foolish', from oxus 'sharp' + mōros 'foolish'.