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Word for describing something by a characteristic that's plainly obvious?

English Language & Usage Asked by Sir_Scofferoff on September 25, 2021

I’m wondering if there’s a definition for phrases like:

  • The Green apple is Green
  • Some optional options are optional
  • Silly people are Silly
  • We visited the museum, where we saw museum artefacts.

Where a description of something is otherwise worthless or repeated.

Googling hasn’t helped much, so time to ask real people!

One Answer

I agree with "tautology". That is the word used, and concept established, in formal logic, which is a discipline in mathematical science.

Others already mentioned pleonasm and aphorism. These are used more often in the literary sense, or in argumentation and interpretation of persuasive appeals.

However, the overly verbose quality of your examples reminds me of archaic or out-of-practice words like

Perissology

superfluity of words [archaic] (Merriam)

Supererogatory

observed or performed to an extent not enjoined or required (Merriam)

Answered by FluffyFlareon on September 25, 2021

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