Hypertext Webster Gateway: "litotes"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Litotes \Li"to*tes\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, from ? plain, simple.]
(Rhet.)
A diminution or softening of statement for the sake of
avoiding censure or increasing the effect by contrast with
the moderation shown in the form of expression; as, `` a
citizen of no mean city,'' that is, of an illustrious city.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
litotes
n : understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when
expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary);
"saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was
very upset' is an example of litotes" [syn: {meiosis}]
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