Enter a clue or pattern or both:
The Clue
Expressive understatement (7 letter answer)
The Answer
MEIOSIS
Tags
Notes
The answer MEIOSIS is so rare that it appears less than once every 2500 puzzles.
Definition
MEIOSIS as a noun:
1. (meiosis, miosis, reduction division) = (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)
2. (litotes, meiosis) = 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"