Definition of pleonasm

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< pleomorphism

pleopod >

ple·o·nasm    (pl-nzm) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. The use of more words than are required to express an idea; redundancy.
   2. An instance of pleonasm.
2. A superfluous word or phrase.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein, to be excessive, from plen, more; see pel-¹ in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pleo·nastic  (-nstk) KEY (Adjective), pleo·nasti·cal·ly(Adverb)