redundant
Definitions
Not needed because it repeats or duplicates something else; superfluous
多余的，冗余的（重复而不必要）
(British) No longer employed because the job is no longer needed
（英）被裁员的，被解雇的
(of equipment/systems) Kept as a backup in case the main one fails
（设备、系统）冗余备份的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedre- (back, again) + und (wave, overflow) + -ant (adj.) = 'overflowing back again.' Water that surges a second time spills past the brim — more than was needed. So redundant means superfluous, repeating what's already there. British English narrowed it to 'laid off': a redundant worker is one the company no longer needs.
Root und still carries 9 more wordsUsage Guide
Three quite different registers. 1) Everyday/writing: 'a redundant word/phrase' = repetitive, can be cut. 2) British employment (very common in the UK, rare in the US): 'be made redundant' = be laid off; Americans say 'laid off.' 3) Engineering/IT: 'redundant system/backup' = a spare kept for safety — a positive, not a fault.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The phrase "free gift" is redundant, since a gift is already free.
- 2.
When the factory closed, hundreds of workers were made redundant.
- 3.
The system has a redundant power supply in case the main one fails.