PLEONASM


Meaning of PLEONASM in English

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

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.