Figure of speech containing an understatement for emphasis; opposite of a hyperbole. Created through use of a double negative. Common in Old English literature, e.g. Beowulf.
Example:
Spake then his Vaunt the valiant man,
Beowulf Geat, ere the bed he sought: --
"Of force in fight no feebler I count me,
in grim war-deeds, than Grendel deems him."
Beowulf means that he's stronger than Grendel.
Or a common everyday example: "not bad" meaning "very good".
No comments:
Post a Comment