Lexic.us

Definition of Tautology

1. Noun. (logic) a statement that is necessarily true. "The statement `he is brave or he is not brave' is a tautology"

2. Noun. Useless repetition. "To say that something is `adequate enough' is a tautology"

Definition of Tautology

1. n. 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.

Definition of Tautology

1. Noun. redundant use of words ¹

2. Noun. An expression that features tautology. ¹

3. Noun. (countable logic) A statement that is true for all values of its variables ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Tautology

1. [n -GIES]

Medical Definition of Tautology

1. 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) Synonym: 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. Origin: L. Tautologia, Gr., cf. F. Tautologie. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tautology

tautograms tautogs tautologia tautologic tautological tautologically tautologies tautologist tautologists tautologize

tautologized tautologizes tautologizing tautologous tautologously tautology (current term) tautomer tautomeric tautomeric fibres tautomerism

tautomerisms tautomerization tautomerizations tautomerize tautomerized tautomerizes tautomerizing tautomers tautomorphemic

Literary usage of Tautology

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Historical Outlines of English Syntax by Leon Kellner (1905)
"tautology, though the reverse of economy, is a principle of no less ... Of course, the same individual will never indulge in economy and tautology at one ..."

2. Fallacies: A View of Logic from the Practical Side by Alfred Sidgwick (1884)
"I. tautology, OR PLATITUDE. TAKING in order the three heads — tautology, Self-contradiction, and Meaningless Term, — it may be of service first of all ..."

3. Fallacies: A View of Logic from the Practical Side by Alfred Sidgwick (1884)
"I. tautology, OR PLATITUDE. i-~i TAKING in order the three heads—tautology, Self-contradiction, and Meaningless Term,—it may be of service first of all ..."

4. The Verbalist: A Manual Devoted to Brief Discussions of the Right and the by Alfred Ayres (1881)
"tautology. Among the things to be avoided in writing is tautology, ... This fault is known as tautology.''—Dr. GP Quackenbos, " Advanced Course of ..."

5. Aids to English Composition, Prepared for Students of All Grades: Embracing by Richard Green Parker (1851)
"tautology AND CATACHRESIS. tautology is the repetition of the same meaning in different words, or the needless repetition of the same words. ..."

6. Aids to English Composition: Prepared for Students of All Grades; Embracing by Richard Green Parker (1855)
"tautology AND CATACHRESIS. tautology is the repetition of the same meaning in different sards, or the needless repetition of the same words. ..."

7. Notes on the Composition of Scientific Papers by Thomas Clifford Allbutt (1904)
"tautology.—A notion is prevalent in genteel academies, and is in some favour ... In this false sense of tautology the mathematician might incur censure for ..."

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