*apophasis*

‖n. [ Gr. 'apo`fasis denial, fr. 'apofa`nai to speak out, to deny. ] (Rhet.) A figure by which a speaker formally declines to take notice of a favorable point, but in such a manner as to produce the effect desired. [ For example, see Mark Antony's oration. Shak., Julius Cæsar, iii. 2. ] [ 1913 Webster ]