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litmus paper | litmus test | litocranius | litocranius walleri | litoral | litotes | litraneter | litre | litter | litter basket | litter lout

litotes

 : 
Noun
 : 
li=to=tes

CIDE DICTIONARY

litotesn. [NL., fr. Gr. lito`ths, from lito`s plain, simple.].
     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; a form of understatement; as, “ a citizen of no mean city,” that is, of an illustrious city; or, “not bad”, meaning “good”.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

litotes, n. ironical understatement, esp. the expressing of an affirmative by the negative of its contrary (e.g. I shan't be sorry for I shall be glad).

Etymology
LL f. Gk litotes f. litos plain, meagre

For further exploring for "litotes" in Webster Dictionary Online


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