meiosis Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (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)
    miosis; reduction division.
  2. noun understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)
    litotes.
    • saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes

WordNet

Mei*o"sis noun
Etymology
NL., fr. Gr. , fr. to make smaller, from . See Meionite.
Definitions
  1. (Rhet.) Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is.

Webster 1913