litotes

//Pronunciation//: 'lI-t&-"tEz, 'li-, lI-'tO-"tEz [|link to listen]
 * litotes-** a form of an understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. Litotes are the opposite of hyperboles

__Examples:__ “Not a bad idea.”“Not many.”

“It isn’t very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain.”(Salinger, Catcher in the Rye)

Salinger uses these phrases to express seriousness in her work through under exaggeration. A brain tumor is a big deal no matter what the size, so for someone to say that it isn't a big deal is just another way for them to say that it is a huge deal. In this sense litotes are somewhat rhetorical.

//Sources://

"Merriam-Webster." Merriam-Webster. 2007. Merriam-Webster. 25 Sept. 2007 .

Smetham, Michael. "Michael Smetham Sketches." Michael Smetham Clockwork Pencil. 2007. Clockwork Pencil. 25 Sept. 2007 .

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