/ laɪˈtəʊtiːz; NAmE -ˈtoʊ-/ noun
[ U ] ( technical ) the use of a negative or weak statement to emphasize a positive meaning, for example he wasn't slow to accept the offer (= he was quick to accept the offer)
—compare understatement
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: via late Latin from Greek litotēs , from litos plain, meagre.