Pleonasm

Pleonasm is the use of more words than are strictly needed to say something. In poetry, it can be a flaw when extra wording only fills out a line, but it can also be a deliberate choice for emphasis, rhythm, or a spoken, expansive voice.

It is not the same as rich description: pleonasm repeats or pads meaning rather than adding clear new detail.

Example

I saw it with my own eyes in the bright noon sun
and heard the silent hush of the empty room.

Related Definitions

[n] using more words than necessary; "a tiny little child"

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