Pragmatic

Pragmatic
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. [1913 Webster]

The next day . . . I began to be very pragmatical. --Evelyn. [1913 Webster]

We can not always be contemplative, diligent, or pragmatical, abroad; but have need of some delightful intermissions. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Low, pragmatical, earthly views of the gospel. --Hare. [1913 Webster]

2. Busy; specifically, busy in an objectionable way; officious; fussy and positive; meddlesome. ``Pragmatical officers of justice.'' --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

The fellow grew so pragmatical that he took upon him the government of my whole family. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • pragmatic — PRAGMÁTIC, Ă, pragmatici, e, adj. 1. Referitor la pragmatism; bazat pe pragmatism. 2. (înv.; în expr.) Istorie pragmatică = prezentare istorică care se ocupă numai de succesiunea evenimentelor politice şi militare, fără a ţine seama de complexul… …   Dicționar Român

  • Pragmatic — Prag*mat ic, n. 1. One skilled in affairs. [1913 Webster] My attorney and solicitor too; a fine pragmatic. B. Jonson. [1913 Webster] 2. A solemn public ordinance or decree. [1913 Webster] A royal pragmatic was accordingly passed. Prescott. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pragmatic — [prag mat′ik] adj. [L pragmaticus, skilled in business or law < Gr pragmatikos < pragma, business, orig. a thing done < prassein, to do] 1. Rare a) busy or active, esp. in a meddlesome way b) dogmatic; opinionated 2. having to do with… …   English World dictionary

  • pragmatic — I adjective clear thinking, expedient, feasible, matter of fact, practical, rational, realistic, reasonable, sensible, serviceable, sound, straight thinking, unidealistic, unromantic, unsentimental, useful, utilitarian II index constructive… …   Law dictionary

  • pragmatic — (adj.) 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 …   Etymology dictionary

  • pragmatic — [adj] sensible businesslike, commonsensical, down to earth, efficient, hard, hard boiled*, hardheaded*, logical, matterof fact, practical, realistic, sober, unidealistic, utilitarian; concepts 401,542 Ant. idealistic, unreasonable …   New thesaurus

  • pragmatic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) dealing with things in a practical rather than theoretical way. 2) relating to philosophical or political pragmatism. DERIVATIVES pragmatically adverb. ORIGIN Greek pragmatikos relating to fact …   English terms dictionary

  • pragmatic — adj. VERBS ▪ be, seem ▪ become ▪ remain ADVERB ▪ extremely, fairly, very …   Collocations dictionary

  • pragmatic — [[t]prægmæ̱tɪk[/t]] ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n A pragmatic way of dealing with something is based on practical considerations, rather than theoretical ones. A pragmatic person deals with things in a practical way. Robin took a pragmatic look at her… …   English dictionary

  • pragmatic — also pragmatical adjective Etymology: Latin pragmaticus skilled in law or business, from Greek pragmatikos, from pragmat , pragma deed, from prassein to do more at practical Date: 1616 1. archaic a. (1) busy (2) officious …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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