litotes

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How many even know the meaning of anaphora, antimetabole or litotes?

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Definitions (4)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. noun A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, as in This is no small problem.

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Examples (11)

  • I was finally beginning to appreciate the ruins as not only impressive in themselves, but as minor glimpses into a whole, advanced civilization - giant, stone litotes on the Nile. —  TravelPod.com Recent Updates
  • How many even know the meaning of anaphora, antimetabole or litotes? —  The Chicago Blog
  • Next word: litotes litotes - ironic understanding, using the negative. next-gibeRe: A Word Game!!!
  • Originally Posted by yashi001 litotes - ironic understanding, using the negative. next-gibe gibe: To make taunting, heckling, or jeering remarks.
  • _Non dubia_ by litotes for _certa_ (for which see _Her_ XX —  The Last Poems of Ovid
 

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Greek lītotēs, from lītos, plain; see lei- in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. New Latin, from Greek λιτότης, plainness, simplicity, from λιτός, smooth, plain, from λίς, smooth.
 

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/ˈlɪtətiz/
by American Heritage

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