(genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)
source: WordNet 3.0
understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)
Saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes.
source: WordNet 3.0
Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is.
