Definitions for litotes
ˈlaɪ təˌtiz, ˈlɪt ə-, laɪˈtoʊ tizlitotes

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. litotes, meiosisnoun

   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"

GCIDERate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Litotesnoun

   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,

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. litotesnoun

   A figure of speech in which the speaker emphasizes the magnitude of a statement by denying its opposite; a figure of speech in which understatement is used with negation to express a positive attribute; a form of irony

2. Etymology: From λιτότης, from λιτός.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Litotes

   In rhetoric, litotes (, or US: ), also known classically as antenantiosis or moderatour, is a figure of speech and form of verbal irony in which understatement is used to emphasize a point by stating a negative to further affirm a positive, often incorporating double negatives for effect. Litotes is a form of understatement, more specifically meiosis, and is always deliberate with the intention of emphasis. However, the interpretation of negation may depend on context, including cultural context. In speech, it may also depend on intonation and emphasis; for example, the phrase "not bad" can be intonated differently so as to mean either "mediocre" or "excellent". Along the same lines, litotes can be used as a euphemism to diminish the harshness of an observation; "He isn't the cleanest person I know" could be used as a means of indicating that someone is a messy person.The use of litotes is common in English, Russian, German, Yiddish, Dutch, Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ukrainian, Polish, Mandarin, French, Czech and Slovak, and is also prevalent in a number of other languages and dialects. It is a feature of Old English poetry and of the Icelandic sagas and is a means of much stoical restraint.The word litotes is of Greek origin (λιτότης), meaning "simplicity", and is derived from the word λιτός, litos, meaning "plain, simple, small or meager".

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. litotes

   Litotes is a figure of speech and a form of understatement often employed by English writers and speakers, where an affirmative is expressed by the negation of its opposite. This rhetorical device is used to make a positive point through the use of negating the opposite meaning. Examples include the phrases "not bad," as a modest way to say something is good, or "not unfriendly," to suggest someone is kind or approachable.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Litotesnoun

   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; as, " a citizen of no mean city," that is, of an illustrious city

2. Etymology: [NL., fr. Gr. lito`ths, from lito`s plain, simple.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Litotes

   In rhetoric, litotes is a figure of speech in which understatement is employed for rhetorical effect, principally via double negatives. For example, rather than saying that something is attractive, one might merely say it is "not unattractive". Litotes is a form of understatement, always deliberate and with the intention of emphasis. However, the interpretation of negation may depend on context, including cultural context. In speech, it may also depend on intonation and emphasis; for example, the phrase "not bad" can be said in such a way as to mean anything from "mediocre" to "excellent". The use of litotes is common in English, Russian, German and French. They are features of Old English poetry and of the Icelandic sagas and are a means of much stoical restraint. George Orwell complained about overuse of the 'not un...' construction in his essay "Politics and the English Language".

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Litotes

   lit′ō-tēz, n. (rhet.) an affirmation made indirectly by the negation of its contrary, as 'a citizen of no mean city'='of an illustrious city.' [Gr. litotēs, simplicity—litos, plain.]

Matched Categories

1. • Rhetorical Device
   • Understatement

Anagrams for litotes »

1. toilets

How to pronounce litotes?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say litotes in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of litotes in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of litotes in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=litotes
2. ^ GCIDE
   https://gcide.gnu.org.ua/?q=litotes
3. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Litotes
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litotes
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/litotes
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=litotes
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=litotes