Definition of oxymoron

nocturnal Definition: (adjective) of the night; active at night. Petersons.com

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< oxymetazoline

oxysulfide >

ox·y·mo·ron    (ks-môrn, -mr-) KEY  

NOUN:
pl. ox·y·mo·ra   (-môr, -mr) KEY   or ox·y·mo·rons

A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Greek oxumron, from neuter of oxumros, pointedly foolish : oxus, sharp ; see oxygen + mros, foolish, dull

OTHER FORMS:
oxy·mo·ronic   (-m-rnk) KEY  (Adjective), oxy·mo·roni·cal·ly (Adverb)

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