litotes

[Morbius]

Litotes was listed as a common word in yesterday's standard puzzle - a candidate for downgrading in my view.   

[Alan W]

Vercotti    Doug (takes a drink) I was terrified of him. Everyone was terrified of Doug. I've seen grown men pull their own heads off rather than see Doug. Even Dinsdale was frightened of Doug.
Interviewer    What did he do?
Vercotti    He used sarcasm. He knew all the tricks, dramatic irony, metaphor, bathos, puns, parody, litotes and satire.

 - Monty Python, the Piranha Brothers

So the word is not entirely unknown outside the world of the rhetorician. However, your suggestion is not without merit, Morbius.

[TRex]

Litotes was listed as a common word in yesterday's standard puzzle - a candidate for downgrading in my view.   

Seconded.

[Tom44]

Thirded.  I  have to confess my ignorance - I never heard the word before.  A common occurrence for uncommon words, but not so much for common words.

[mkenuk]

Almost the first word I saw, believe it or not!
A lifetime spent teaching English occasionally has its advantages.
I suppose it is a bit esoteric and I have to say that I wouldn't be too unhappy to see it downgraded.

MK

[ensiform]

Very common in schools.

[Alan W]

Ensiform, if it was very common at any of the schools I attended, I'm afraid it didn't sink in. I can't remember the word ever being mentioned during my education.

I agree with the suggestion to re-class it as rare.