About The Word Litotes

Bay Area Crosswords

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Litotes

Litotes Meaning & Definition
Litotes Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of 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"

Synonyms | Synonyms for Litotes: meiosis

Related Terms | Find terms related to Litotes:

See Also | rhetorical device | understatement

Litotes In Webster's Dictionary

\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.

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