ˈplēəˌnazəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmas, from pleonazein to be more, to be in excess, to be redundant, from pleon, neuter of pleiōn, pleōn more
1.
a. : iteration or repetition in speaking or in writing : the use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense (as the man he said, saw with his own eyes, true fact ) ; especially : the coincident use of a word and its substitute for the same grammatical function : redundancy , tautology
b. : an instance or example of such iteration
2. : superfluity
a pleonasm or overflow of that great kindness — Samuel Purchos