The term redundancy refers to a situation where something is unnecessary or excessive because it is no longer needed or serves no useful purpose. In the context of employment, it often means the loss of jobs due to a company no longer needing certain positions, often as a result of technological advancements or organizational changes. It can also describe repetition in language or writing that does not add value to the information being conveyed.
The word "redundancy" comes from the Latin word redundantia, which means "overflowing," derived from redundare, meaning "to overflow." The term evolved over time to carry the meaning of something being superfluous or excess.