
English word understatement comes from English under-, English statement
under- (English)
Under (in any sense): insufficient, insufficiently, below what is correct; subordinate to; beneath or behind.
statement (English)
(computing) An instruction in a computer program.. (finance) A document that summarizes financial activity.. A declaration or remark.. A presentation of opinion or position. (transitive) To provide an official document of a proposition, especially in the UK a Statement of Special Educational Needs.
understatement (English)
(uncountable, rhetoric) 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; meiosis.. An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.. An incomplete statement, particularly:. An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis.