pragmatics

[prag-mat-iks] /prægˈmæt ɪks/
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

pragmatic

[prag-mat-ik] /prægˈmæt ɪk/
adjective, Also, pragmatical (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.
  1. busy; active.
  2. officious; meddlesome; interfering.
  3. dogmatic; opinionated.
noun
7.
pragmatic sanction.
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
Related forms
pragmaticality, pragmaticalness, noun
pragmatically, adverb
antipragmatic, adjective
antipragmatical, adjective
antipragmatically, adverb
nonpragmatic, adjective, noun
nonpragmatical, adjective
nonpragmatically, adverb
unpragmatic, adjective
unpragmatical, adjective
unpragmatically, adverb
Examples from the web for pragmatics
  • The issues here are context and meaning, or what linguists might call discourse, pragmatics and semantics.
  • But the brain's pragmatics-our knowledge and skill in using information-are not.
  • The possible importance of this alternative transcends the mere pragmatics of shared labor.
  • The second subsection covers work on pronominalization within the framework of semantics and pragmatics.
  • Thus, learners' understanding of giving and receiving compliments helped broaden their interest in pragmatics.
British Dictionary definitions for pragmatics

pragmatics

/præɡˈmætɪks/
noun (functioning as sing)
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

pragmatic

/præɡˈmætɪk/
adjective
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
Also (for senses 3, 5) pragmatical
Derived Forms
pragmaticality, noun
pragmatically, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Late Latin prāgmaticus, from Greek prāgmatikos from pragma act, from prattein to do
Word Origin and History for pragmatics

pragmatic

adj.

1610s, "meddlesome, impertinently busy," short for earlier pragmatical, or else from Middle French pragmatique (15c.), from Latin pragmaticus "skilled in business or law," from Greek pragmatikos "fit for business, active, business-like; systematic," from pragma (genitive pragmatos) "a deed, act; that which has been done; a thing, matter, affair," especially an important one; also a euphemism for something bad or disgraceful; in plural, "circumstances, affairs" (public or private), often in a bad sense, "trouble," literally "a thing done," from stem of prassein/prattein "to do, act, perform" (see practical). Meaning "matter-of-fact" is from 1853. In some later senses from German pragmatisch.