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.
[prag-mat-ik] /prægˈmæt ɪk/
adjective, Also, pragmatical (for defs 1, 2, 5).
1.
of or relating to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
2.
Philosophy. of or relating to (def 2).
3.
of or relating to (def 1, 2).
4.
treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results.
5.
of or relating to the affairs of state or community.
6.
Archaic.

noun
7.
.
8.
Archaic. an officious or meddlesome person.
/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
/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
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.