A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Pragmatic,) Pregmatick, -mattick, Pragmantick, adj. (e.m.E. pragmati(c)k(e (1616), -ique (1638), also as n. (1587), and pragmatical (1543): relating to the affairs of a state; busy, active; officious, meddlesome; conceited; opinionated; practical, pertaining to practice rather than theory; expert in affairs; F. pragmatique, L. pragmatic-us.) —1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 428.
Mr. Robert Farguison, a pregmattick head, who kendled a fire in our university at Aberdeen anno 1654 1681 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 300.
The present magistrats … imagineing themselfes more pregmatick 1691 Kirk Secr. Commonw. (1964) 322.
The species of an absent friend … is no fantastic shadow of a sick apprehensione, but a realitie, and a messenger coming for unknown reasons … from a more swift and pragmantick people
