litotes

litotes Definition

li·to·tes (līt′ə tēz′, lī tōt′ēz)

noun

understatement for effect, esp. such understatement in which something is expressed by a negation of the contrary (Ex.: not a few regrets)

Etymology: Gr litotēs < litos, smooth, simple, plain, akin to leios: see lime

litotes Related Forms

li·tot′ic (lī tät′ik) adjective

Browse dictionary entries near litotes