Word Study
litmus paper |
litmus test |
litocranius |
litocranius walleri |
litoral |
litotes
| litraneter
| litre
| litter
| litter basket
| litter lout
litotes
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun litotes has 1 sense
- litotes(n = noun.communication) meiosis - 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" is a kind of understatement, rhetorical device
CIDE DICTIONARY
litotes, n. [NL., fr. Gr. lito`ths, from lito`s plain, simple.].
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; a form of understatement ; as, “ a citizen of no mean city,” that is, of an illustrious city; or, “not bad”, meaning “good”. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
litotes, n. ironical understatement, esp. the expressing of an affirmative by the negative of its contrary (e.g. I shan't be sorry for I shall be glad).
Etymology
LL f. Gk litotes f. litos plain, meagre
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