litotes Quintessensual litotes - noun, plural, pronounced li toh tees, meaning an adult human male's breasts, from the Greek word litos, meaning plain. nope, sorry, my lexicographer has just corrected me. litotes - noun, singular, pronunciation and derivation as stated initially, but meaning a form of understatement that is generated by denying the opposite or contrary of the word which otherwise would be used. Example "Those breasts of his sure aren't a woman's." 991211 ... Ptolemy DCLVIII "Don't hesitate to indulge your hesitant side." 061010 ... Pto Hmmmm. Upon reflection, that actually might not qualify as litotic. 061010 ... Ah...there we go. "He decided to hesitate." 061010 what's it to you? who go blather from