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Webster 1913 Edition

Irony

I′ron-y

,
Adj.
[From
Iron
.]
2.
Resembling iron in taste, hardness, or other physical property.

I′ron-y

,
Noun.
[L.
ironia
, Gr. [GREEK] dissimulation, fr. [GREEK] a dissembler in speech, fr. [GREEK] to speak; perh. akin to E.
word
: cf. F.
ironie
.]
1.
Dissimulation; ignorance feigned for the purpose of confounding or provoking an antagonist.
2.
A sort of humor, ridicule, or light sarcasm, which adopts a mode of speech the meaning of which is contrary to the literal sense of the words.

Webster 1828 Edition

Irony

I'RONY

,
Adj.
[from iron.] Made or consisting of iron; partaking of iron; as irony chains; irony particles.
1.
Resembling iron; hard.

I'RONY

, [L. ironia; Gr. a dissembler in speech.]
A mode of speech expressing a sense contrary to that which the speaker intends to convey; as, Nero was a very virtuous prince; Pope Hildebrand was remarkable for his meekness and humility. when irony is uttered,the dissimulation is generally apparent from the manner of speaking, as by a smile or an arch look, or perhaps by an affected gravity of countenance. Irony in writing may also be detected by the manner of expression.

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