n.
Pronunciation: ˌ äk-s ē - ' mo ̇ r- ˌ än
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -mo · ra \ - ' mo ̇ r- ə \
Etymology: Late Greek oxym ō ron, from neuter of oxym ō ros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + m ō ros foolish
Date: 1657
: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness ) broadly : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements
– ox · y · mo · ron · ic \ -m ə - ' rä-nik, -mo ̇ - \ adjective
– ox · y · mo · ron · i · cal · ly \ -ni-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb