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Definition of pragmatic - 5 dictionary results

prag⋅mat⋅ic

  [prag-mat-ik]
Use pragmatic in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
2. Philosophy. of or pertaining to pragmatism (def. 2).
3. of or pertaining to pragmatics (defs. 1, 2).
4. treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results.
5. of or pertaining to the affairs of state or community.
6. Archaic.
a. busy; active.
b. officious; meddlesome; interfering.
c. dogmatic; opinionated.
–noun
7. pragmatic sanction.
8. Archaic. an officious or meddlesome person.
Also, prag⋅mat⋅i⋅cal (for defs. 1, 2, 5).

Origin:
1580–90; < L prāgmaticus < Gk prāgmatikós practical, equiv. to prāgmat- (s. of prâgma) deed, state business (deriv. of prssein to do, fare; see practic ) + -ikos -ic

Related forms:
prag⋅mat⋅i⋅cal⋅i⋅ty, prag⋅mat⋅i⋅cal⋅ness, noun
prag⋅mat⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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prag·mat·ic   (prāg-māt'ĭk)   
adj.  
  1. Dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical.
  2. Philosophy Of or relating to pragmatism.
  3. Relating to or being the study of cause and effect in historical or political events with emphasis on the practical lessons to be learned from them.
  4. Archaic
    1. Active; busy.
    2. Active in an officious or meddlesome way.
    3. Dogmatic; dictatorial.
n.  
  1. A pragmatic sanction.
  2. Archaic A meddler; a busybody.

[Latin prāgmaticus, skilled in business, from Greek prāgmatikos, from prāgma, prāgmat-, deed, from prāssein, prāg-, to do.]
prag·mat'i·cal adj., prag·mat'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Pragmatic

Prag*mat"ic\, Pragmatical \Prag*mat"ic*al\, a. [L. pragmaticus busy, active, skilled in business, especially in law and state affairs, systematic, Gr. ?, fr. ? a thing done, business, fr. ? to do: cf. F. pragmatique. See Practical.]

1. Of or pertaining to business or to affairs; of the nature of business; practical; material; businesslike in habit or manner.

The next day . . . I began to be very pragmatical. --Evelyn.

We can not always be contemplative, diligent, or pragmatical, abroad; but have need of some delightful intermissions. --Milton.

Low, pragmatical, earthly views of the gospel. --Hare.

2. Busy; specifically, busy in an objectionable way; officious; fussy and positive; meddlesome. "Pragmatical officers of justice." --Sir W. Scott.

The fellow grew so pragmatical that he took upon him the government of my whole family. --Arbuthnot.

3. Philosophical; dealing with causes, reasons, and effects, rather than with details and circumstances; -- said of literature. "Pragmatic history." --Sir W. Hamilton. "Pragmatic poetry." --M. Arnold.

Pragmatic sanction, a solemn ordinance or decree issued by the head or legislature of a state upon weighty matters; -- a term derived from the Byzantine empire. In European history, two decrees under this name are particularly celebrated. One of these, issued by Charles VII. of France, A. D. 1438, was the foundation of the liberties of the Gallican church; the other, issued by Charles VI. of Germany, A. D. 1724, settled his hereditary dominions on his eldest daughter, the Archduchess Maria Theresa.

Pragmatic

Prag*mat"ic\, n. 1. One skilled in affairs.

My attorney and solicitor too; a fine pragmatic. --B. Jonson.

2. A solemn public ordinance or decree.

A royal pragmatic was accordingly passed. --Prescott.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : pragmatic
Spanish: práctico, realista,
German: nüchtern,
Japanese: 実際的な
More Translations »

pragmatic 
1543 (implied in pragmatical), from M.Fr. pragmatique, from L. pragmaticus "skilled in business or law," from Gk. pragmatikos "versed in business," from pragma (gen. pragmatos) "civil business, deed, act," from prassein "to do, act, perform." Pragmatism in philosophy is attested from 1898, first in William James, probably from Ger. Pragmatismus.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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