Meaning of litotes in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈlaɪdəˌtiz/

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  1. Noun

    litotes

    Etymology

    late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek litotēs, from litos‘plain, meager’

    Definitions

    1. understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)

    Examples

    • « saying 'I was not a little upset' when you mean 'I was very upset' is an example of litotes »

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