Pleonasmos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Characterized by the use of more words than necessary to convey meaning, resulting in redundancy in expression
2. Describing a rhetorical redundancy where additional words do not add value but rather repeat what has been said
3. Referring to a stylistic device that emphasizes a point through excessive language, thus creating a verbose effect

Etymology: The term "pleonasmos" originates from the ancient Greek word "πλεονασμός" (pleonasmós), which itself derives from "πλέον" (pléon), meaning "more," combined with the suffix "-ασμός" (-asmós), denoting an action or process. In its original Greek context, the concept referred to the use of more words or elements than necessary—a kind of verbal excess or redundancy. This word entered English scholarly and linguistic discussions largely through the study of rhetoric and grammar, where it describes the stylistic device of using superfluous words for emphasis or clarity, even when they are not strictly required. The fascination with pleonasms dates back to classical antiquity, as orators and writers debated the value and effect of redundancy in speech and writing. By the time it became known in English, the term retained its Greek form, signaling its status as a technical term in linguistic and rhetorical analysis rather than a common everyday word. It typically appears in academic texts dealing with language, style, and logic, often in discussions of how language can be deliberately or inadvertently excessive. Though it can sometimes be confused with tautology, pleonasmos is distinctive in its broader scope, encompassing any unnecessary addition of words that do not add new meaning but might serve to reinforce or clarify an idea. This nuance traces back to its Greek roots, where such "more-ness" was carefully observed and categorized in the art of persuasion and effective communication.

Synonyms: redundancy, tautology, superfluity, excess, verbosity

Antonyms: conciseness, brevity, succinctness