Meiosis (Noun)
Meaning 1
(genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants).
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
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
- Meiosis was not exactly a topic of conversation at the dinner party, but it was clearly on everyone's mind as they avoided eye contact with the biologist.
- The professor's claim that the new discovery was "not insignificant" was a classic example of meiosis, as it was actually a groundbreaking finding.
- When asked about the severity of the injury, the coach said the player was "not exactly unscathed," which was a meiosis if there ever was one.
- The company's statement that the product was "not without its flaws" was a meiosis, as it was actually plagued by major defects.
- The politician's assertion that the economic downturn was "not a complete disaster" was a meiosis, as it was actually a catastrophic situation.