Word of the day: pleonasm
Word of the Day: Pleonasm (noun)
Pronunciation: ['plee-ê-naez-êm]
Definition: Today's word refers to a type of writing or speaking that is diffuse and repetitive. Keep in mind the added punch of "redundant" in the definition. "Pleonastic" is the adjective form and "pleonastically" is the adverb.
Suggested Usage: The Department of Redundancy Department specializes in pleonastic constructions, of course. But we can fight back! Become pleonastically aware and take steps to wipe out pleonasms. Unleash critical letters to the editor if you spot such pleonasms as "ATM machine," "PIN number," "true facts," "mandatory requirement," "close proximity," "collaborate together," "foreign imports," "poisonous venom," "small speck," or "tiny pinpoint" in your local circular. A pleonasm is, as Yogi Berra might put it, "déjà vu all over again."
Etymology: From the Late Latin "pleonasmus" from Greek "pleonasmos," the noun from pleonazein "to be excessive," itself based on pleon "more." The PIE root here is pel- "to fill," and it gave us words like "full" and "plenty," French plein and Russian polnyi "full," about which we have written several times before. See our FAQ sheet for more PIE.
-Dr. Language, YourDictionary.com
Pronunciation: ['plee-ê-naez-êm]
Definition: Today's word refers to a type of writing or speaking that is diffuse and repetitive. Keep in mind the added punch of "redundant" in the definition. "Pleonastic" is the adjective form and "pleonastically" is the adverb.
Suggested Usage: The Department of Redundancy Department specializes in pleonastic constructions, of course. But we can fight back! Become pleonastically aware and take steps to wipe out pleonasms. Unleash critical letters to the editor if you spot such pleonasms as "ATM machine," "PIN number," "true facts," "mandatory requirement," "close proximity," "collaborate together," "foreign imports," "poisonous venom," "small speck," or "tiny pinpoint" in your local circular. A pleonasm is, as Yogi Berra might put it, "déjà vu all over again."
Etymology: From the Late Latin "pleonasmus" from Greek "pleonasmos," the noun from pleonazein "to be excessive," itself based on pleon "more." The PIE root here is pel- "to fill," and it gave us words like "full" and "plenty," French plein and Russian polnyi "full," about which we have written several times before. See our FAQ sheet for more PIE.
-Dr. Language, YourDictionary.com