FIGURES OF SPEECH - 6 - OXYMORON

A figure of speech is an ornamental use of words.

A figure of speech may be defined as a change from the plain and ordinary mode of expression for the sake of emphasis or to beautify the language.

Figure of speech is a technique or a tool of expression, by means of which one deviates from the ordinary expression in order to produce a better or a more emphatic linguistic effect.

Figures of speech are commonly used in poetry to enhance the beauty, imagery, poetic effect and rhyme scheme of the poem.

OXYMORON

In this figure of speech the adjective that is added to a word conveys the contrary meaning in the same expression.

Here, there seems a contradiction between two words placed next to each other, one word is opposite in meaning to the word it qualifies or modifies.

Examples:

1. He is regularly irregular.

Here, the irregularity of the person is modified by the use of its opposite 'regularly'.

2. He was an honest thief.

3. It was the cruel mercy of the murderers.