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pleonasm
pleonasm definition
pleo·nasm (plē′ə naz′əm)
noun
- the use of more words than are necessary for the expression of an idea; redundancy (Ex.: “plenty enough”)
- an instance of this
- a redundant word or expression
Etymology: LL pleonasmus < Gr pleonasmos < pleonazein, to be in excess < pleon, neut. of pleōn, more, compar. of polys, much: see poly-
Related Forms:
- pleonastic ple′o·nas′·tic adjective
- pleonastically ple′o·nas′·ti·cally adverb
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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