1. Plural of litotes; a figure of speech that uses understatement or a negative statement to express a positive idea, often for ironic or emphatic effect.
Usage: Rhetorical/literary term; The singular form is 'litotes'

Examples

• The teacher used several litoteses in her lecture, such as 'that's not bad' to mean 'that's good.'
• Examples of litoteses include 'she's no fool' and 'he's not unkind.'
• Litoteses are common in British English and add a subtle, understated tone to speech.
• The author employed litoteses throughout the novel to create ironic humor.
• Understanding litoteses helps readers recognize when writers use negation to convey positive meanings.