First Known Use: 1610
Dictionary
pleonasm
noun ple·o·nasm \ˈplē-ə-ˌna-zəm\
Definition of PLEONASM
1
: the use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense (as in the man he said) : redundancy
2
: an instance or example of pleonasm
— ple·o·nas·tic \ˌplē-ə-ˈnas-tik\ adjective
— ple·o·nas·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of PLEONASM
Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein to be excessive, from pleiōn, pleōn more — more at plus
Rhymes with PLEONASM
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