“Pleonasm” comes from the Greek “pleonazein,” which means “be superfluous.” Purple prose is an example of “pleonasm” — it specifically refers to extravagant writing with superfluous words. While it’s usually the sign of an overeager writer who hasn’t yet mastered the art of editing, purple prose has its place. The pleonasm can be a stylistic choice, meant to call attention to the flowery words and imbue the topic with an over-the-top effect.