1650s, from Greek oxymoron, noun use of neuter of oxymoros (adj.) "pointedly foolish," from oxys "sharp" (see acrid) + moros "stupid" (see moron). Rhetorical figure by which contradictory terms are conjoined so as to give point to the statement or expression; the word itself is an illustration of the thing. Now often used loosely to mean "contradiction in terms." Related: Oxymoronic.
雙語例句
1. This has made many Americans conclude that business ethics is an oxymoron.
這使得很多美國人斷定商業(yè)道德是個自相矛盾的說法。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Or with Bush filling the slot, is that an oxymoron?
或者,當布什竄升首位的時候, 大家只不過希望這是一種“矛盾修辭法”?
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
3. It may sound like an oxymoron but money has its Achilles'heel.
聽起來有點矛盾,但錢有它自己的阿基里斯定律.
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
4. They thought such a book an oxymoron.
出版商認為,這樣的書包含著自我矛盾.
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
5. Manyconnoisseurs in other Chinese cities would say great Shanghai cooking is an oxymoron.