What is an example of meiosis?

Meiosis examples are sometimes used in the sense of a synonym of litotes. In literature, however, meiosis describes the use of understatement to highlight a point, or explain a situation, or to understate a response used to enhance the effect of a dramatic moment. read more

The word meiosis literally means to "make smaller." In literature, statements that deliberately downplay a situation, or understatements that serve to actually highlight a situation and create dramatic irony, are referred to as meiosis. read more

The term meiosis comes from the Greek word μειόω, which means “to make smaller” or “to diminish.” Originally, the definition of meiosis referred to a biological process in which gametic cells divide. The term was borrowed for literary purposes with a more metaphorical meaning of making something smaller. read more