Redundance vs. Redundancy — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 22, 2024
Redundance is a less common term for excess or superfluity, while redundancy refers to unnecessary repetition or backup systems in technology and employment.
Difference Between Redundance and Redundancy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Redundance is an archaic or less frequently used term that signifies an overflow or an excess of something, often related to language or resources. Redundancy, on the other hand, is widely used to describe the presence of unnecessary repetition, especially in words, or the implementation of backup systems in technology and safety protocols to ensure reliability.
While redundance might appear in literary or philosophical texts to convey a sense of abundance or surplus, redundancy is a technical term in fields like engineering, computing, and employment. In technology, redundancy ensures that additional or duplicate systems are in place to prevent failure, whereas redundance rarely carries such specific implications.
In the context of employment, redundancy is used to describe job positions that are no longer needed, often leading to layoffs or job cuts. Redundance, in such contexts, would be less clear, as it does not commonly convey this meaning of job elimination or organizational restructuring.
The usage of redundance has declined over time, making it somewhat outdated or stylistic in contemporary language. Redundancy, however, is actively used in both everyday and professional language, reflecting its importance in discussions about efficiency, safety, and workforce management.
Both terms originate from the Latin word "redundantia," but their paths diverged in English, with redundance fading in common usage while redundancy expanded, especially with the rise of technology and industrialization, highlighting society's focus on efficiency and reliability.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Excess, superfluity without specific application
Unnecessary repetition or backup systems for reliability
Usage Context
Literary, philosophical
Technical, employment, everyday language
Implication
Overflow, more than what is necessary
Unnecessary duplication, job elimination, system backups
Commonness
Less common, archaic
Widely used and recognized
Examples in Sentences
"The redundance of words in the poem adds to its charm"
"The system's redundancy ensures it operates during a failure"
Compare with Definitions
Redundance
An archaic term for surplus.
The redundance of grain this year ensures no one will go hungry.
Redundancy
A backup system in technology.
Redundancy is critical for maintaining uptime in data centers.
Redundance
The state of being superfluous.
The redundance in the garden's floral display was breathtaking.
Redundancy
The inclusion of extra components not strictly necessary.
The redundancy in the network protects against data loss.
Redundance
Excess that surpasses necessity.
The manuscript was cut down due to redundance.
Redundancy
Repetition that is not needed.
The speech was criticized for its redundancy of phrases.
Redundance
Overflow or abundance.
The redundance of ideas in the meeting was overwhelming.
Redundancy
A feature in design to ensure reliability.
The aircraft's redundant systems make it extremely safe.
Redundance
Literary use to convey extravagance.
His writing was marked by a redundance of descriptive adjectives.
Redundancy
The state of being no longer needed in a job.
She was offered a severance package after her position was made redundant.
Redundance
Redundancy.
Redundancy
The state of being redundant.
Redundance
The quality or state of being redundant; superfluity; superabundance; excess.
Redundancy
Something redundant or excessive; a superfluity.
Redundance
That which is redundant or in excess; anything superfluous or superabundant.
Labor . . . throws off redundacies.
Redundancy
Repetition of linguistic information inherent in the structure of a language, as singularity in the sentence It works.
Redundance
Surplusage inserted in a pleading which may be rejected by the court without impairing the validity of what remains.
Redundancy
Excessive wordiness or repetition in expression.
Redundance
The attribute of being superfluous and unneeded;
The use of industrial robots created redundancy among workers
Redundancy
The state or fact of being unemployed because work is no longer offered or considered necessary.
Redundancy
A dismissal of an employee from work for being no longer necessary; a layoff.
Redundancy
(Electronics) Duplication or repetition of elements in electronic equipment to provide alternative functional channels in case of failure.
Redundancy
Repetition of parts or all of a message to circumvent transmission errors.
Redundancy
(Genetics) See degeneracy.
Redundancy
The state of being redundant
Redundancy
A superfluity; something redundant or excessive; a needless repetition in language
Redundancy
Duplication of components or circuits to provide survival of the total system in case of failure of single components.
Redundancy
Duplication of parts of a message to guard against transmission errors.
Redundancy
The state of being unemployed because one's job is no longer necessary; the dismissal of such an employee; a layoff.
Redundancy
(law) surplusage inserted in a pleading which may be rejected by the court without impairing the validity of what remains.
Redundancy
Repetition of messages to reduce the probability of errors in transmission
Redundancy
The attribute of being superfluous and unneeded;
The use of industrial robots created redundancy among workers
Redundancy
(electronics) a system design that duplicates components to provide alternatives in case one component fails
Redundancy
Repetition of an act needlessly
Common Curiosities
What does redundancy mean?
Redundancy commonly refers to unnecessary repetition or the presence of backup systems designed to increase reliability and safety.
Can redundance and redundancy be used interchangeably?
Not effectively; redundance is rarely used and generally lacks the specific implications of redundancy in technology and employment.
What happens when a job is declared redundant?
It means the position is no longer needed, often leading to layoffs or the affected employee being offered a severance package.
What is redundance?
Redundance refers to the state of being excessive or having more than what is necessary, often used in a literary or philosophical context.
How are redundance and redundancy different?
Redundance is an archaic term for excess, while redundancy has specific applications in technology, language, and employment to indicate unnecessary duplication or safety backups.
Are there positive uses of redundancy?
Yes, especially in safety-critical systems where redundancy can prevent failures and save lives, such as in aviation or medical devices.
Is redundance a common term in modern language?
No, redundance is considered archaic and is much less common than redundancy, which is widely used across various contexts.
Is redundancy always bad in employment?
While it can lead to job loss, it can also indicate organizational changes that might lead to new opportunities or a more efficient company structure.
How does redundancy affect language and communication?
In language, redundancy can lead to repetitiveness that might be seen as a lack of precision or clarity, though it can also reinforce information or add emphasis.
How can redundancy be minimized in writing?
By carefully editing to remove unnecessary repetition and ensuring each word and sentence contributes meaningfully to the message.
How do redundance and redundancy relate to efficiency?
Redundance typically implies inefficiency due to excess, while redundancy, especially in technical contexts, can improve efficiency by preventing system failures.
Why is redundancy important in technology?
It ensures system reliability by having backup components or systems that can take over in case of failure, preventing total system shutdown.
What is an example of a redundant system?
An airplane with multiple engines, so that if one fails, others can sustain flight, is an example of a redundant system.
What role does redundancy play in communication theory?
In communication theory, redundancy can enhance understanding and retention of information by repeating key points, though excessive redundancy can be counterproductive.
Can redundance have a positive connotation?
Yes, in a literary or artistic context, it can imply a luxurious or lavish abundance, adding to the aesthetic or thematic richness.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
