TAUTOLOGY

tautology. Tautology, n. a repetition of the same sense

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Tau‐tol″o‐gy (?), n. [[L. tautologia, Gr. �: cf. F. tautologie.]] (Rhet.) A repetition of the same meaning in different words; needless repetition of an idea in different words or phrases; a representation of anything as the cause, condition, or consequence of itself, as in the following lines: — The dawn is overcast, the morning lowers, And heavily in clouds brings on the day. Addison. Syn. — Repetition. — Tautology, Repetition. There may be frequent repetitions (as in legal instruments) which are warranted either by necessity or convenience; but tautology is always a fault, being a sameness of expression which adds nothing to the sense or the sound.