LITOTES

litotes, meiosis

(noun) 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”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

litotes (plural litotes)

(rhetoric) An ironic figure of speech whereby something is stated by denying its opposite, particularly the negation of a negative quality to say something positive.

Antonyms

• See hyperbole

Hypernyms

• irony

• understatement, meiosis

Anagrams

• Sottile, oil test, toilest, toilets

Source: Wiktionary

Li"to*tes, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition