Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IRON-Y, n. [Fr. ironie; L. ironia; Gr. ειρωνια, from ειρων, 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.