Search Result for "pragmatic_sanction":
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. an imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land;
[syn: pragmatic sanction, pragmatic]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pragmatic sanction n 1: an imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land [syn: pragmatic sanction, pragmatic]
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

PRAGMATIC SANCTION, French law. This expression is used to designate those ordinances which concern the most important object of the civil or ecclesiastical administration. Merl. Repert, h.t.; 1 Fournel, Hist. des Avocats, 24, 38, 39. 2. In the civil law, the answer given by the emperors on questions of law, when consulted by a corporation or the citizens of a province, or of a, municipality, was called a pragmatic sanction. Lecons El. du Dr. Civ. Rom. Sec. 53. This differed from a rescript. (q.v.)