mihailoff's definitions

litotes

1. The affirming of a thing by denying its contrary.

His philology is not irresponsible.

Her statement is not inaccurate.

by mihailoff February 20, 2005

brachylogy

1. Brevity of expression.

If I didn't know her, I would say that her phrasal brachylogy made her seem rather like an ass clown

by mihailoff February 20, 2005

meden agan

1. Ancient Greek for "Nothing in excess."

The words 'meden agan' are written on the temple at Delphi.

by mihailoff February 20, 2005

sine qua non

1. What is necessary

A shocker is the sina qua non for John to emit his yoghurt truck

by mihailoff February 20, 2005

chiasmus

1. (rhetorical figure): A reversing of the order of words in corresponding pairs of phrases.

leges supplicio improbos afficiunt, defendunt ac tuentur bonos (Cicero, De Legibus, ii. 13)

The laws VISIT PUNISHMENTS upon the wicked, but the good they DEFEND and PROTECT.

by mihailoff February 20, 2005