tautology (tɔːˈtɒlədʒɪ
)
Definitions
noun
- the use of words that merely repeat elements of the meaning already conveyed, as in the sentence the use of words that merely repeat elements of the meaning already conveyed, as in the sentence Will these supplies be adequate enough? in place of the use of words that merely repeat elements of the meaning already conveyed, as in the sentence in place of Will these supplies be adequate?
- logic a statement that is always true, esp a truth-functional expression that takes the value true for all combinations of values of its components, as in a statement that is always true, esp a truth-functional expression that takes the value true for all combinations of values of its components, as in either the sun is out or the sun is not out Compare inconsistency (sense 3)
, contingency (sense 5)
Alternative Forms
tautological (ˌtɔːtəˈlɒdʒɪklˈlɒdʒɪkəll) ˌtautoˈlogic tauˈtologous adjective ˌtautoˈlogically tauˈtologously adverb Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin tautologia, from Greek, from tautologos
