tautology

Definition

Redundant use of words, a pleonasm, an unnecessary and tedious repetition.

Etymology

From Late Latin tautologia, from Ancient Greek ταὐτολογία (tautología) from ταὐτός (tautós, “the same”) + λόγος (lógos, “explanation”). By surface analysis, tauto- + -logy.

Example Sentences

• "It is tautology to say, "Forward Planning"."
• "The expression "raze to the ground" is a tautology, since the word "raze" includes the notion "to the ground"."
• "Pure mathematics consists of tautologies, analogous to ‘men are men’, but usually more complicated."

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