i|ron|y

i|ro|ny¹ «Y ruh nee», noun, plural -nies.

1. a way of speaking or writing in which the ordinary meaning of the words is the opposite of the thought in the speaker's mind: »

the boys called the very thin boy “Fatty” in irony. A drayman in a passion calls out, “You are a pretty fellow,” without suspecting that he is uttering irony (Macaulay).

2. Figurative. an event or outcome which is the opposite of what would naturally be expected: »

By the irony of fate the farmers had rain when they needed sun, and sun when they needed rain.

3. an ironical statement or expression; ironical quality: »

There was staid irony in his tone (Charles Kingsley).

4. pretending ignorance in a discussion in order to gain an advantage over one's opponent; Socratic irony.

╂[< Latin īrōnīa < Greek eirōneíā dissimulation < eírōn dissembler < eíren speak]

Usage Irony, sarcasm, satire are humorous forms of expression. Irony consists in deliberately saying the opposite of what one means, relying on tone of voice or on context to indicate one's real intent: »

that noble and loyal patriot, Benedict Arnold.

In sarcasm the aim is to hurt someone's feelings and so, whether stated ironically or not, it is always cruel and biting: »

When a boy refers to another boy as “mamma's little darling,” he is using sarcasm.

In satire the aim is to expose and attack vice or folly, using irony, sarcasm, or other forms of humoto do so: »

In “Gulliver's Travels” Jonathan Swift makes notable use of satire.

i|ron|y² «Y uhr nee», adjective.

consisting of, containing, or like iron.

╂[< iron + -y¹]