See Also: pleonasm(medicine)
pleonasm(dictionary)

pleonasm (iou)



pleonasm noun. . M16.
[Late Latin pleonasmus from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein be superfluous, from pleion more.]
The use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning; redundancy of expression, either as a fault of style or as a figure purposely used for emphasis or clarity; an instance of this; a superfluous word or phrase. M16.
b. Grammar. The addition of a superfluous letter or syllable to a word. rare. L17-M18.
gen. Superfluity, redundancy; something superfluous or redundant. E17.
New Left Review The..clause is mere pleonasm, a repetition.
b. Anatomy & Medicine. (A growth showing) excess in size or esp. number of parts. M19.