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Pragmatic

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means dealing with things sensibly and realistically

Where does the word "pragmatic" come from? It comes from Greek pragmatikos, passing through Latin before entering English (1610s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pragmatikos
Greek · ancient
"businesslike"
skilled in business, from 'pragma', deed, affair
2
Stage 2 of 3
pragmaticus
Latin · ancient
"practical"
experienced in law or business
3
Stage 3 of 3
pragmatic
English · 1610s
"practical"
the philosophy of 'pragmatism', named by Charles Sanders Peirce in the 1870s, gave it its modern sense
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Read the full story

Pragmatic’s story begins in Greek: pragmatikos meant “businesslike.” Skilled in business, from 'pragma', deed, affair. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as pragmaticus. Experienced in law or business. It reached English by 1610s as pragmatic. The philosophy of 'pragmatism', named by Charles Sanders Peirce in the 1870s, gave it its modern sense. Today, pragmatic means dealing with things sensibly and realistically.