understatementn.
/ˌʌndəˈsteɪtm(ə)nt/, /ˈʌndəˌsteɪtm(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˈəndərˌsteɪtmənt/ a. (ˌunder-ˈstatement.) A statement which falls below the truth or fact.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > [noun] > underestimation or undervaluing > understatement or underplaying
diminution1303
meiosis1550
extenuation1589
liptote1589
meiosis1642
litote1645
litotes1656
understatement1799
underplaying1896
1799 Monthly Rev. 28 528 Stating at the lowest its own populousness and produce, and..favouring a similar understatement by its neighbours.
1877 J. Morley Crit. Misc. 2nd Ser. 330 Mr. Mill's remarks..involve a distinct understatement.
b. (Stress variable.) The quality of being understated (sense b) or modest in design.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > simplicity > [noun]
plainness1549
austerity1581
simplicity1593
severity1713
simplex munditiis1740
chastity1760
chasteness1889
penny-plainness1920
sabi1932
wabi1934
understatement1967
1967 Guardian 21 July 7/4 The kind of subtly simple dress..that ‘Vogue’ would call understated... Under~statement is the thing.
1977 ‘J. Fraser’ Hearts Ease in Death xiii. 142 Her simple Hardy Amies dresses, designed with all the understatement..that had become the Queen's dressmaker's hallmark.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1799