Litotes

Examples Help! What is the definition of Litotes?

How do you define Litotes? What is a Litotes? The word derives from the Greek word 'litos' meaning 'simple'. The definition of Litotes is as follows:

English Grammar & Terminology Definition of Litotes - a poetic device

Definition: Litotes Literary Term is a figure of speech. An ironical understatement in which affirmative is expressed by the negation of the opposite. In Litotes the speaker's words convey less emotion than is actually felt.

I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is or "no small victory"

Definition of Litotes - a poetic device

Examples of Litotes in Poems & Poetry
Poems with Litotes examples can be found by the most famous poets including Robert Frost

  • "Einstein is not a bad mathematician"
  • The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt: "I'm really glad that you have come to visit," said the spider to the fly. The spider is not just glad to have a visitor, but is excited to have his next meal trapped in his web!
  • Andrew Marvell, "To His Coy Mistress: "The grave's a fine a private place, But none, I think, do there embrace."
  • Fire and Ice by Robert Frost
    "Some say the world will end in fire,
    Some say in ice.
    From what I've tasted of desire
    I hold with those who favor fire.
    But if I had to perish twice,
    I think I know enough of hate
    To say that for destruction ice
    Is also great
    And would suffice."

Examples Help! Use of Litotes in Poems & Poetry
Examples of Litotes can be found in many examples of the poem, poems or poetry. Famous poets use this figure of speech to convey and emphasize unusual and vivid images. The use of strong word association changes the mode of thought and adds variation, embellishment and adornment to literary works.

 

Examples Help - Figures of Speech - Litotes

In Figurative Language we use words in such a way that they differ somewhat from ordinary every-day speech and convey meanings in a more vivid and impressive manner. Figures, like Litotes make speech more effective, they beautify and emphasize it in Rhetoric which is the art of speaking and writing effectively. Figures of speech such as Litotes use word association to convey emotion and mood often in a non-literal sense.

Examples Help! Using Litotes

Figures of speech such as Litotes adds adornment, beautifies, colors, elegant variation, embellishment, embroidery, emphasis, exaggeration, exclamation, flourish, floweriness, irony, lushness and luxuriance to the English language. This page providing facts and info about Figures of Speech will help with the understanding of this subject.

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  • Poem, Poems & Poetry - Litotes
  • Word association to convey emotion and mood.
  • Definition, sample and example - poetic device
  • Figure of Speech in English Grammar
  • Definitions, info, samples and examples of different English Figurative Language
  • Litotes - figure, image, trope
  • Word association to convey emotion and mood.
  • Definition, info, sample and example - figure, image, trope - Poetic device
  • Poem, Poems & Poetry - poetic device
  • Examples Help!

Litotes

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