Urban Dictionary: Oxymoron Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. In some languages, it is not necessary to place a conjunction like and between the two antonyms; such compounds (not necessarily of antonyms) are known as dvandvas (a term taken from Sanskrit grammar). They add flavour to speech and can also be cynical, sarcastic, or witty and used for comic effect or relief. [22], Similarly, the term "civil war" is sometimes jokingly referred to as an "oxymoron" (punning on the lexical meanings of the word "civil"). Theoxymorons here point toLancelot's contradictory existence in regard to his relationships with both Guinevere and King Arthur: Lancelot isa "faithful" and "honorable" lover to Guinevere yet also an "unfaithful" and "dishonorable" knight to King Arthur, Guineveres husband, whom he is essentially betraying by carrying out a love affair with the queen. The dictionary defines an oxymoron as a "wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to 'unconscious responses' instead of rational examinations". And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. and Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. If something is original,then it is not a copy. The most common type of oxymoron is an adjective followed by a noun. 26 Funny Oxymoron Examples | Oxymorons in Everyday Life, Pop Culture Oxymoron - Examples and Definition of Oxymoron - Literary Devices and What Is an Oxymoron? - The Habitat The most common type of oxymoron is an adjective followed by a noun. When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself and derives from the . One moose, two moose. As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox.