Litotes (Noun)
Meaning
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".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- He wasn't the most pleasant person to be around, but she loved him anyway, which was a litotes that only hinted at the depth of her feelings.
- The coach said the team wasn't doing badly, a litotes that belied the frustration in his voice.
- The new policy wasn't going to hurt anyone, a litotes that failed to convince the skeptical employees.
- He wasn't a little disappointed when he didn't get the job, a litotes that barely concealed his anger.
- The restaurant wasn't cheap, a litotes that prepared customers for the shock of the bill.