First Known Use: 1533
Dictionary
antiphrasis
noun an·tiph·ra·sis \an-ˈti-frə-səs\
plural an·tiph·ra·ses\-ˌsēz\
Definition of ANTIPHRASIS
: the usually ironic or humorous use of words in senses opposite to the generally accepted meanings (as in “this giant of 3 feet 4 inches”)
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Origin of ANTIPHRASIS
Late Latin, from Greek, from anti- + phrasis diction — more at phrase
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