pragˈmaticalness
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
The quality or character of being pragmatical; † activity, assiduity (obs.); officiousness, meddlesomeness; opinionativeness, dogmatism; practical or utilitarian quality; etc.: see the adj.
| 1643 Let. fr. Grave Gentleman 1 Pragmaticalnesse and want of Charity. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. vi. i. §35 Monks also hated Fryers at their hearts, because their activity and pragmaticalnesse made Monks be held as idle and uselesse. 1664 H. More Exp. 7 Epist. v. 73 The Pragmaticalnesse of whose Agents will be..ready to discover every one that dissembles his Religion. a 1677 Barrow Serm. xxii. Wks. 1741 I. 219 But pragmaticalness disturbeth the world..One busybody often (as we find by experience) is able to disturb and pester a whole society. 1731 Gentl. Mag. I. 526/2 The usefulness of these two noble drugs, introduc'd by Priests, atone for the pragmaticalness of those who oppos'd 'em. 1891 Sat. Rev. 28 Nov. 600/2 The pragmaticalness of the ‘fussy Bishop’. |