Pleonasm Definition

plēə-năzəm
noun
The use of more words than are necessary for the expression of an idea; redundancy (Ex.: “plenty enough”)
Webster's New World
An instance of this.
Webster's New World
A redundant word or expression.
Webster's New World

(uncountable, rhetoric) Redundancy in wording.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Pleonasm

Noun

Singular:
pleonasm
Plural:
pleonasms

Origin of Pleonasm

  • Late Latin pleonasmus from Greek pleonasmos from pleonazein to be excessive from pleōn more pelə-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Late Latin pleonasmus, from Ancient Greek πλεονασμός (pleonasmos), from πλεονάζω (pleonazō, “I am superfluous"), from πλείων (pleiōn, “more").

    From Wiktionary

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