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1 litotes
a two-component structure in which two negations are joined to give a possessive evaluation- the first component is always the negative particle "not", while the second, always negative in semantics, varies in form from a negatively affixed word (as above) to a negative phraseHer face was not unpretty. (K.Kesey)
It was not unnatural if Gilbert felt a certain embarrassment. (E.Waugh)
The idea was not totally erroneous. The thought did not displease me. (I.Murdoch)
Source: V.A.K.••a) is a stylistic device consisting of a peculiar use of negative constructions: the negation plus noun or adjective serves to establish a positive feature in a person or thing- is a deliberate understatement used to produce stylistic effect: it is a negation that includes affirmation;- is a means by which the natural logical and linguistic property of negation can be strengthened;He found that this was no easy task.
- is used in different styles of speech, excluding those which may be called the matter-of-fact styles, like official style and scientific proseb) a construction with two negationsnot unlike, not unpromising, not displeased
Soames, with his lips and his squared chin was not unlike a bull dog. (J.Galsworthy)
Source: I.R.G.English-Russian dictionary of stylistics (terminology and examples) > litotes
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