Definition of tautology

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< tautologize

tautomerism >

tau·tol·o·gy    (tô-tl-j) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. tau·tol·o·gies

1. 1. Needless repetition of the same sense in different words; redundancy.
   2. An instance of such repetition.
2. Logic An empty or vacuous statement composed of simpler statements in a fashion that makes it logically true whether the simpler statements are factually true or false; for example, the statement Either it will rain tomorrow or it will not rain tomorrow.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin tautologia, from Greek tautologi, from tautologos, redundant : tauto-, tauto- + logos, saying ; see -logy

OTHER FORMS:
tauto·logi·cal  (tôtl-j-kl) KEY  or tauto·logic  (-k) KEY (Adjective), tauto·logi·cal·ly(Adverb)