Oxymoron

The juxtaposition of two contradictory ideas is oxymoron, from the Greek words for "sharp" and "foolish." Everybody's favorite examples are facetious ("military intelligence"), but poets can often use oxymoron for striking effects (such as Milton's "darkness visible").

From the Guide to Literary Terms by Jack Lynch.
Please send comments to Jack Lynch.

Note: This guide is still in the early stages of development.
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