Do you know what a Pleonasm is?

Question

I saw a question about palindromes and I realized, we use these parts of grammar all the time and don't even know what it's called, which in the long run can hinder us. For instance, it's hard to learn another language if you don't even know what the parts of speech and grammar are in your own language. So, I thought I would bring one up that I recently learned.

Pleonasm

Does anyone know what it is? Don't use google. Try to figure it out by the following example.

EX: "free gift" or "true fact"

Answer 1

A repetitive and redundant phrase.

pleonasm: 1. the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; redundancy. 2. an instance of this, as free gift or true fact. 3. a redundant word or expression. - DJ_Huero, Mar 3, 2011

You got it, ¡bien hecho! I found this such an interesting word, that is all too commonly used and little known in our grammar. =) - DJ_Huero, Mar 3, 2011

Answer 2

Thefreedictionary.com's definition:

1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) the use of more words than necessary or an instance of this, such as a tiny little child
2. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a word or phrase that is superfluous

I can be used in poetry and legal English deliberately. In common usage, I don't think it is widely accepted? Natives?

Answer 3

Phrases that contain redundant words. One of my favorites is "free publicity". There is no need to use the adjective "free" because, by definition, publicity has no cost.

Everything can be given a price in America. ;-) rofl - DJ_Huero, Mar 3, 2011

Answer 4

I´d have called that a tautology, but I think it´s the same thing.

interesting... - DJ_Huero, Mar 3, 2011

Answer 5

Perhaps it has to do with redundant terminology?