Meiosis (figure of speech) - Definition and Overview

Meiosis is a figure of speech which intentionally understates something or implies that it is less in significance, size, than it really is.

• The Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail says all his limbs being cut off is "just a flesh wound", employing meiosis.
  
• W. C. Fields enters a palatial home, glances up at the ceiling two stories above, and says "Nice teepee."

Meiosis is also a method of cell division. See meiosis