Prag-măt'ic or Prag-măt'ic-al1, a.
a. [Lat. pragmaticus, Gr. πραγματικός, busy, active, skilled in business, especially in law and state affairs, systematic, from πρᾶγμα, a thing done, business, from πράσσειν, to do; Fr. pragmatique, Sp. pragmatico, It. prammatico.]
Sense 1. Ready to act; acquainted with business; versed in affairs; skillful. [Obs.]
Sense 2. Active in performing work; diligent; busy. [Obs.]
The next day I began to be very pragmatical. Evelyn.
We can not always be contemplative, or pragmatical, abroad. Milton.
Sense 3. Pertaining to business; hence, material. “Low, pragmatical, earthly views of the gospel.” Hare.
Sense 4. Over-forward in acting; officious; meddling; meddlesome; impertinent. “Pragmatical officers of justice.” W. Scott.
The fellow grew so pragmatical that he took upon him the government of my whole family. Arbuthnot.
Pragmatic history, a history which exhibits clearly the causes and the consequences of events. — 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.