What is a figure in which an epithet of a contrary signification is added to a word; e. g., cruel kindness; laborious idleness called?
oxymoron — A figure in which an epithet of a contrary signification is added to a word; e. g., cruel kindness; laborious idleness. (Webster's 1913.)
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
- Canonical URL: https://worddirectanswers.com/answers/what-is-oxymoron-sense-1-called
- Steward: Jason Burns
- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00