εἰρων-εία,ἡ,
A. dissimulation, i.e.ignorance purposely affectedto provoke or confoun danantagonist, a mode of argument used by Socrates against the Sophists, Pl. R. 337a , cf. Arist. EN 1124b30 , Cic. Acad. 2.5.15 : generally,mock-modesty, opp.ἀλαζονεία, Arist. EN 1108a22 ;sarcasm, Hermog. Id. 2.8 , al.;understatement, Phld. Lib. p.130 .
II. pretence, assumption, when a person at first appears willing, but then draws back, D. 4.7 ;τὴν ἡμετέραν βραδυτῆτα καὶ εἰρωνείανib. 37 .
III. generally,dissembling, Ph. 1.345 (pl.), al.
2. pretext, PSI 5.452.23
(iv A.D.).