litotesn.
/ˈlʌɪtətiːz/, /lʌɪˈtəʊtiːz/, U.S. /ˈlaɪdəˌtiz/, /ˈlɪdəˌtiz/, /laɪˈtoʊdiz/ Rhetoric.
A figure of speech, in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary; an instance of this. Examples of litotes are: ‘A citizen of no mean city’; ‘When no small tempest lay on us.’
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > [noun] > underestimation or undervaluing > understatement or underplaying
diminution1303
meiosis1550
extenuation1589
liptote1589
meiosis1642
litote1645
litotes1656
understatement1799
underplaying1896
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > figure of speech > figures of meaning > [noun] > expression by negative of opposite
liptote1589
meiosis1642
litote1645
litotes1656
1656 J. Smith Myst. Rhetorique Unvail'd 3 Litotes, which is when a word is put down with a sign of negation.
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Litotes.
1727 A. Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 73 in J. Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol. The Litotes [printed Littole; corrected 1731] or Diminution [is the peculiar talent] of Ladies, Whisperers and Backbiters.
1883 P. Schaff Hist. Christian Church I. v. 291 Pressing into his service..the litotes and other rhetorical figures.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1656