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Definition of pragmatics - 6 dictionary results
Pragmatics
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prag⋅mat⋅ics

  [prag-mat-iks]
Use pragmatics in a Sentence
–noun (used with a singular verb)
1. Logic, Philosophy. the branch of semiotics dealing with the causal and other relations between words, expressions, or symbols and their users.
2. Linguistics. the analysis of language in terms of the situational context within which utterances are made, including the knowledge and beliefs of the speaker and the relation between speaker and listener.
3. practical considerations.
Origin:
1935–40; see pragmatic, -ics
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prag⋅mat⋅ic

  [prag-mat-ik]
–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.
prag·mat·ics   (prāg-māt'ĭks)   
n.   (used with a sing. verb)

  1. The study of language as it is used in a social context, including its effect on the interlocutors.

  2. The branch of semiotics that deals with the relationship between signs, especially words and other elements of language, and their users.

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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Word Origin & History

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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: prag·mat·ics
Pronunciation: prag-'mat-iks
Function: noun plural
but sing or pl in constr : a branch of semiotic that deals with therelation between signs or linguistic expressions and their users
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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