meioses
Chromosome-halving cell splits
Meioses is the plural of meiosis, which has two distinct meanings.
In biology, meiosis is the cell division that produces sex cells with half the usual chromosomes.
In rhetoric, meiosis is deliberate understatement for effect—calling a fatal wound "a scratch" or the ocean "a pond." The meioses in his speech made catastrophe sound like minor inconvenience.
Intentional diminishment for effect
- litotesUnderstatement via negation
- diminutionReduction in size
- downplayingDiminishing perceived significance
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
irony · figure · trope · rhetorical device · euphemism · belittling · restraint · modesty
Parent splitting into offspring
- oogenesisFemale reproductive cell development
- spermatogenesisMale gamete formation
- haploidSingle chromosome complement
- diploidTwo complete chromosome sets
crossing over · recombination · prophase · metaphase · anaphase · telophase · synapsis · bivalent
understatement
Intentional diminishment for effect
- litotesUnderstatement via negation
- diminutionReduction in size
- downplayingDiminishing perceived significance
minimization · irony · figure · trope · rhetorical device · euphemism · belittling · restraint · modesty · verbal irony
cell division
Parent splitting into offspring
- oogenesisFemale reproductive cell development
- spermatogenesisMale gamete formation
- haploidSingle chromosome complement
diploid · crossing over · recombination · prophase · metaphase · anaphase · telophase · synapsis · bivalent · tetrad
meioseshyperboles
Extreme exaggerations for effect
overstatements · exaggerations · amplifications · magnifications · embellishments