HyperDic: litotes

English > 1 sense of the word litotes:
NOUNcommunicationlitotes, meiosisunderstatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)
English > litotes: 1 sense > noun 1, communication
Meaningunderstatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary).
Example"saying 'I was not a little upset' when you mean 'I was very upset' is an example of litotes"
Synonymmeiosis
Broaderrhetorical deviceA use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)
understatementA statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said
Spanishatenuación, litote, lítote, meiosis
Catalanlítote

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