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Tautological Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tautological

[tษ”หหˆtษ’l.ษ™.ษกษช.kษ™l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

logical reasoning

Tautological refers to a statement that is true by necessity or by virtue of its logical form. In other words, it is a redundancy in expression, where the same concept is restated in different words without adding any new information. Tautological statements can often be seen as circular reasoning, where the argument leads back to itself, failing to provide any actual evidence or insight. This term is commonly used in philosophy and logic to criticize arguments that do not advance a discussion.

Synonyms

circular, redundant, repetitive.

Examples of usage

  • The statement 'free gift' is tautological.
  • Saying 'it is what it is' is a tautological expression.
  • His definition of success was tautological and unhelpful.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistics

  • In rhetoric, tautology can create emphasis, but it may also lead to unclear communication.
  • Common examples include phrases like 'ATM machine' (the 'M' already means machine) or 'free gift' which add no extra meaning.
  • Tautological language often occurs in everyday speech, especially when trying to clarify a point but dominating the conversation instead.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like Ludwig Wittgenstein have examined tautological statements to explore meaning and language limits.
  • In philosophy of language, tautologies are often seen as statements that are true by necessity, like 'It is what it is.'
  • Tautologies can lead to discussions about redundancy in arguments and their implications for reasoning.

Pop Culture

  • Tautological phrases can become memorable quotes or catchphrases, like 'new innovation' in tech marketing.
  • In comedy, writers often use tautology to enhance humor, creating punchlines that emphasize similarity in phrasing.
  • Some popular songs use tautological expressions to create rhythm, such as repeating phrases for effect.

Psychology

  • Tautologic statements can confuse listeners and may lead to cognitive dissonance when trying to reconcile repetitive meanings.
  • Understanding tautology can help in developing clearer communication strategies in therapy or counseling.
  • Studies suggest that people are more likely to remember tautological phrases, even if they understand them as redundant.

Origin of 'tautological'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek 'tautologos,' which means 'saying the same thing.'
  • It has been used in English since the early 19th century to describe redundancy in language.
  • The prefix 'tauto-' means 'the same' and 'logia' means 'word' or 'speech,' emphasizing repetition.

The term 'tautological' originates from the Greek word 'tautologos', which means 'saying the same thing'. This itself is a combination of 'tauto', meaning 'the same', and 'logos', meaning 'word' or 'speech'. The concept emerged in the study of logic and language as scholars looked for ways to analyze statements and arguments for clarity and truthfulness. Over time, it has evolved into a critical term used in various fields, including linguistics, philosophy, and rhetoric, to highlight instances where communication fails to convey new information due to redundancy.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,957 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.