Which term refers to a form of irony where a person feigns indifference to something they desire?

The correct term that describes a form of irony where a person feigns indifference to something they desire is accismus. This concept involves a character or speaker pretending to reject something desirable, often to express a deeper longing or to elicit a specific response from others. It's a subtle form of irony that highlights the contrast between the outward display of apathy and the inward desire for what is being feigned as unwanted.

In literature, accismus can serve as a tool to create tension or humor, as the audience often perceives the true feelings behind the facade. This adds depth to character interactions and enhances themes of desire and social dynamics. Other terms, such as irony in a general sense, encompass various forms of contradictory expressions but do not specifically define the nuanced act of feigning indifference. Paradox refers to contradictory statements that may reveal a truth, while ambivalence involves mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something, neither of which capture the specific irony of accismus.