Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Characterized by unnecessary repetition of meaning using different words: Describes a statement or phrase that says the same thing twice in different words, making it redundant.
   • Logically true by virtue of its form: In logic, pertaining to a statement that is true in every possible interpretation due to its logical structure, often making it uninformative.

Usage

• As a descriptive adjective: Used to critique or identify language that is needlessly repetitive.
  • The editor removed the tautologic phrase to make the sentence more concise.
  • His argument was tautologic and failed to provide any new information.

Examples

• In everyday language:
  • Saying "a round circle" is considered tautologic because "circle" already implies roundness.
  • The phrase "future plans" is often criticized as tautologic, as plans are inherently about the future.
• In formal or logical contexts:
  • The statement "All bachelors are unmarried men" is tautologic and therefore always true.
  • A tautologic proposition in logic does not add to our knowledge of the world.

Advanced Usage

• Tautologic reasoning: A form of reasoning or argument that is circular or restates the premise.
  • The politician's defense was based on tautologic reasoning, merely rephrasing the accusation as a denial.
• Tautologic truth: A truth that is guaranteed by the definitions of the words involved.
  • "Vixens are female foxes" expresses a tautologic truth.

Variants and Related Words

• Tautological (adj): The more common adjectival form, identical in meaning to 'tautologic'.
  • The tautological nature of the definition was unhelpful.
• Tautology (n): The noun form referring to the rhetorical device or logical construct itself.
  • The paragraph was full of needless tautology.
• Pleonastic (adj): A close synonym, specifically referring to the use of more words than necessary.

Synonyms

• Redundant: Exceeding what is necessary or normal; superfluous.
• Repetitive: Containing or characterized by repetition, especially when unnecessary.
• Circular (in reasoning): Arguing or defining in a way that assumes the conclusion.

Related Phrases

• Tautologic statement: A statement that is true by definition or is redundantly phrased.
  • The manual was full of tautologic statements that confused the users.
• To be tautologic: To have the quality of tautology.
  • The definition appeared to be tautologic upon closer examination.

Adjective

1. repetition of same sense in different words
   • `a true fact' and `a free gift' are pleonastic expressions
   • the phrase `a beginner who has just started' is tautological
   • at the risk of being redundant I return to my original proposition- J.B.Conant