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Pertaining to irony; containing, expressing, or characterized by, irony; as, an ironical remark.

Used euphemistically, ironically, or intensively. Not a blessed man came to set her [a boat] free. R. D. Blackmore.

manner of treating it, as when a trifling subject is treated with mock gravity; jocular; ironical. It is a dispute among the critics, whether burlesque poetry runs best in heroic verse, like that of the Dispensary, or in doggerel, like that of Hudibras. Addison.

To make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in ironical or bantering language; to quiz. Morgan saw that his master was chaffing him. Thackeray. A dozen honest fellows . . . chaffed each other about their sweethearts. C. Kingsley.

An expletive of surprise, vexation, or emphasis, or, ironically, of negation. [Low] The devil a puritan that he is, . . . but a timepleaser. Shak. The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare, But wonder how the devil they got there. Pope.

A figure by which permission is either seriously or ironically granted to some one, to do what he proposes to do; e. g., "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still."

degree, irrespective of moral quality; -- used with words of a bad significance. [Obs. or Ironical] "An excellent hypocrite." Hume. Their sorrows are most excellent. Beau. & Fl.

-- formerly used as an expression of deference or respect, especially to woman; now used ironically or contemptuously. A fit man, forsooth, to govern a realm! Hayward. Our old English word forsooth has been changed for the French madam. Guardian.

To get, incur, or receive, as loss, harm, or damage. [Obs. or Ironical] Ye should . . . not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. Acts xxvii. 21. Gained day, the calendar day gained in sailing eastward around the earth. -- To gain ground, to make progress; to advance in any undertaking; to pre…

pellation of civility, equivalent to "My friend", "Good sir", "Mister;" -- sometimes used ironically. [Obs.] With you, goodman boy, an you please. Shak.

animals of different and hostile propensities living peaceably together in one cage. Used ironically of conventional alliances of persons who are in fact mutually repugnant. -- Happy-go-lucky, trusting to hap or luck; improvident; easy-going. "Happy-go-lucky carelessness." W. Black.

Ironical. Sir T. Herbert.

ws everything; hence, one who makes pretension to great knowledge; a wiseacre; -- usually ironical. [Colloq. or R.]

The skin. [Ironical or Sportive]

An ironical title of respect. How now, seignior Launce ! what news with your mastership Shak.

pleasantries, the dull in repartees and points of wit. Addison. The keen observation and ironical pleasantry of a finished man of the world. Macaulay.

In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically.

Mean; despicable; contemptible; -- used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.

Somewhat saintlike; -- used ironically.

Athenian lawmaker, born about 638 b. c.; hence, a legislator; a publicist; -- often used ironically.