Redundancies: meaning, definitions and examples
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redundancies
[ rΙͺΛdΚndΙnsiΛz ]
employment context
Redundancies refer to situations where positions or jobs are no longer necessary, often leading to layoffs. This can occur due to economic downturns, restructuring within a company, or advancements in technology that streamline operations. The term can also refer to excess or superfluous content in communication.
Synonyms
dismissals, job cuts, layoffs, surplus
Examples of usage
- The company announced redundancies after the merger.
- Many employees faced redundancies during the recession.
- The report highlighted redundancies in the new policy.
- She was given notice of redundancy last week.
communication context
In terms of communication, redundancies are unnecessary repetitions in language or overly wordy statements that do not add value. This can dilute the clarity of the message being conveyed.
Synonyms
duplication, overlap, repetition, superfluity
Examples of usage
- The document contained several redundancies that made it longer than necessary.
- Avoid redundancies in your writing to improve clarity.
- His speech was full of redundancies and could have been more concise.
Word origin
The term 'redundancy' originates from the Latin word 'redundantia', which means 'superfluous' or 'overflowing'. It was adapted into Middle French as 'redondance' before making its way into the English language in the late 15th century. Historically, the word was primarily used in the context of language and writing, where it described excessive repetition or unnecessary detail. In the 20th century, especially during periods of economic instability, the term evolved to encompass job redundancies, referring to roles that were eliminated in organizations due to various reasons such as automation or downsizing. The dual usage of the word today reflects its versatility in both linguistic and employment contexts.