Meaning of Pleonasm (What It Is, Concept and Definition)

Pleonasm is a figure of speech used for intensify the meaning of a term through the repetition of the word itself or the idea contained in it.

The word pleonasm comes from Latin pleonasmus and it means redundancy.

Example of pleonasm

In Manuel Bandeira's poem, in the phrase, "It rained a sad rain of resignation", the author, when using the word rain, repeats the idea already contained in the verb to rain (rain rain). This repetition was used to reinforce the expressiveness of the verb to rain.

"When I woke up today, it was still dark
(Although the morning was late)
It rained.
It rained a sad rain of resignation
As a contrast and comfort to the stormy heat of the night."

Types of pleonasm

There are two types of pleonasms, characterized according to the intention of their use: the literary and the vicious.

Literary pleonasm is a figure of speech, intentionally used to reinforce the idea contained in the sentence. Vicious pleonasm is a language addiction. In these cases it is not necessary for the context of the sentence and is usually used due to lack of knowledge or lack of care in the use of language.

literary pleonasm

Literary or intentional pleonasm is used as a stylistic resource, when the reader or listener is intended to be surprised and more attentive to what is being written or spoken. It is a resource used to emphasize what is being said by the author.

Examples:

In the song "Valsinha" by Chico Buarque de Holanda and Vinícius de Morais, we can find a pleonasm:

"And there they danced so much dancing,
that the whole neighborhood woke up".
He died a dead death.

vicious pleonasm

Vicious pleonasm is a language addiction, it is the superfluous repetition of the word or idea contained in the sentence. In this case it is unnecessary redundancy and does not add any value to what is being said or written.

See these examples:

• Get inside.
• Get outside.
• The morning breeze.
• It is necessary to repeat again.
• It was divided into two equal halves.
• Face your problems head-on.

See also the meaning of speech figures and meet some examples.