Word: understatement
Part of speech: Noun
Syllables: un
der
state
ment
Definition: A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect.
Morphemes:
Affix: under-
Language: en
PoS: Prefix
Meaning: Under (in any sense): insufficient, insufficiently, below what is correct; subordinate to; beneath or behind.
Affix: state
Language: en
PoS: Noun
Meaning: The lexical aspect (aktionsart) of verbs or predicates that do not change over time.
Etymology Compounds: Affix: status
Language: la
Decoded: status
Meaning: manner of standing, attitude, position, carriage, manner, dress, apparel; and other senses
Affix: -ment
Language: en
PoS: Suffix
Meaning: Used to form nouns from verbs, the nouns having the sense of "the action or result of what is denoted by the verb".
Etymology Compounds: Affix: -ment
Language: fro
Decoded: -ment
PoS: Suffix
Meaning: Used to form nouns from verbs, usually of action or state resulting of them. Equivalent to the English -ment.