Hypernym

noun

a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said

noun

a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)

litotes 1

noundomain: communication

Princeton WordNet [ver.3.1]

English

Definition

understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)

Examples

1.saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes

meiosis 2
understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)

Hyponym

noun

(rhetoric) A figure of speech whereby something is given less importance by the name given it than it merits.