n.
Pronunciation: an- ' ti-fr ə -s ə s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ra · ses \ - ˌ s ē z \
Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek, from anti- + phrasis diction ― more at PHRASE
Date: 1533
: the usually ironic or humorous use of words in senses opposite to the generally accepted meanings (as in “ this giant of 3 feet 4 inches ” )