battology

[buh-tol-uh-jee]

noun

1. wearisome repetition of words in speaking or writing.

Other Word Forms

• battologist noun
• battological adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of battology¹

1595–1605; < Greek battología ( bátt ( os ) stammerer + -o- -o- + -logia -logy )

Example Sentences

Battology, bat-ol′o-ji, n. repetition in speech or writing.—adj.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

This sonorous balance of phrase and epithet cannot always escape what Milton himself calls "the heathenish battology of multiplying words."

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Associated words: glossary, glossarist, glossography, glossology, glossologist, lexicology, lexicologist, etymology, etymologist, etymologize, neology, lexicography, terminology, paronomasia, pun, punning, onomatopœoea, syncope, syncopation, literal, literally, literalism, transliteration, verbal, verbalist, verbalism, battology, logomachy, logomachist, verbarium, apocope, kyriology, metonomy, autonomasia, multiloquence, perissology, purism, purist, elision, polysynthesis, coin, coinage, apheresis, aphetic, aphetism, aphesis, onomatopoiesis, metaphrase, acrostic, rebus, synecdoche, verbicide, verbomaniac, locution. words of an opera. libretto.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Polylogy†, tautology, battology†, perissology†; pleonasm, exuberance, redundancy; thrice-told tale; prolixity; circumlocution, ambages†; periphrase†, periphrasis; roundabout phrases; episode; expletive; pennya-lining; richness &c.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Repetition -- N. repetition, iteration, reiteration, harping, recurrence, succession, run; battology, tautology; monotony, tautophony; rhythm &c.

Read more on Project Gutenberg