ANTIPHRASIS

ANTIPHRASIS, a sort of figurative Speech which has a contrary meaning to what it carries in appearance. Or, a kind of Irony, wherein we say one thing and mean the contrary. See FIGURE and IRONY. The Word is derived from the Greek ἀντί and φράσις, of φράζω, I speak. 'Tis a common Error, to make Antiphrases consist in a single Word; as when we say that the Parsae are thus called by Antiphrasis, because they spare no body, Parcae quia nemini parcunt. St. Jerome, in his Epistle to Riparius against Vigilantius, says he ought rather to be called Dormitantius per Antiphrasin, than Vigilantius, because he opposed the Christians holding Wakes at the Tombs of the Martyrs. Sanctius, in his Minerva, p.431, condemns such Antiphrases; by reason Phrasis is not applicable to a single Word, but signifies Orationem, aut loquendi Modum. See PHRASE. That excellent Grammarian defines Antiphrasis to be a Form of Irony, whereby we say a thing, by denying what we ought rather to affirm it to be: Antiphrasis est Ironia quaedam forma cum dicimus negando id quod debuimus affirmare. As when we say, It did not displease me, or, He is no Fool; meaning, I was pleased with it, or, He is a Man of Sense. On this Principle, the Antiphrasis ought to be ranked among the Figures of Sentences, and not those of Words. See FIGURE.

ANTIPHRASIS