prag·mat·ics

[prag-mat-iks]
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

Dictionary.com Unabridged

prag·mat·ic

[prag-mat-ik]
adjective Also, prag·mat·i·cal (for defs 1, 2, 5).
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
8.
Archaic. an officious or meddlesome person.

Origin:
1580–90; < Latin prāgmaticus < Greek prāgmatikós practical, equivalent to prāgmat- (stem of prâgma) deed, state business (derivative of prā́ssein to do, fare; see practic) + -ikos -ic

prag·mat·i·cal·i·ty, prag·mat·i·cal·ness, noun
prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
an·ti·prag·mat·ic, adjective
an·ti·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
an·ti·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
non·prag·mat·ic, adjective, noun
non·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
non·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
un·prag·mat·ic, adjective
un·prag·mat·i·cal, adjective
un·prag·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To pragmatics
00:10
Pragmatics is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
Collins
World English Dictionary
pragmatic (præɡˈmætɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  advocating behaviour that is dictated more by practical consequences than by theory or dogma
2.  philosophy of or relating to pragmatism
3.  involving everyday or practical business
4.  of or concerned with the affairs of a state or community
5.  rare interfering or meddlesome; officious
 
[C17: from Late Latin prāgmaticus, from Greek prāgmatikos from pragma act, from prattein to do]
 
pragmati'cality
 
n
 
prag'matically
 
adv

pragmatics (præɡˈmætɪks) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  the study of those aspects of language that cannot be considered in isolation from its use
2.  the study of the relation between symbols and those who use them

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

pragmatic
1540s, 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."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Thus, learners' understanding of giving and receiving compliments helped broaden their interest in pragmatics.
The second subsection covers work on pronominalization within the framework of semantics and pragmatics.
The issues here are context and meaning, or what linguists might call discourse, pragmatics and semantics.
The possible importance of this alternative transcends the mere pragmatics of shared labor.
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