praktisch German · revision 36181

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=16th century|origins=grc πράσσω}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈpʁaktɪʃ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''praktisch''' (strong nominative masculine singular praktischer, comparative praktischer, superlative am praktischsten)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|practicus|t=active]], [[der|grc|πρακτικός|tr=praktikós|t=concerned with action, active, efficient]],^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007)^(Duden GWDS 1999) from [[m|grc|πράσσω|tr=prā́ssō|t=to do, accomplish]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden GWDS 1999) Pfeifer and Wiktionary allow for the influence of [[fr|pratique|t=applied, feasible, convenient]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Wiktionary) It belongs with [[Praktik]], borrowed in the 15th century from the Medieval Latin feminine [[m|la-med|practica]], and with [[Praxis]].^(Kluge 2011|719)^(Kluge 2011|721)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In the 16th century the adjective meant “cunning, crafty”, a sense that goes with ''Praktik'' “trick, dodge”.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(FWB)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Duden dates the adoption of the adjective in its modern sense to the 18th century, and Pfeifer notes that from that time it is often opposed to [[theoretisch]].^(Duden 7 2007)^(Pfeifer 1993) The same contrast shaped the noun ''Praxis'' in the 18th century.^(Kluge 2011|721) The senses “useful, convenient” and “good at everyday tasks” followed, and in colloquial use the adverb came to mean “virtually, as good as”.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+

+ Dutch took the word as [[nl|praktisch]] (recorded 1840), and Danish, Swedish and Norwegian have [[da|praktisk]] from German.^(LWP)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Late 15th century – ''Praktik'' is borrowed from Medieval Latin.^(Kluge 2011|719)^(Duden 7 2007)

+ * 16th century – ''praktisch'' “cunning, crafty”.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(FWB)

+ * 18th century – Adopted in the sense “relating to practice”, opposed to ''theoretisch''.^(Duden 7 2007)^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * 1840 – Dutch ''praktisch'' “applicable, useful” is first recorded.^(LWP)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to practice ([[Praxis]]) or real life rather than theory: ''praktische Erfahrungen'';^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary) ''praktischer Arzt'', a [[m|en|general practitioner]].^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Actual, occurring in reality: ''die praktischen Folgen eines Beschlusses''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # [[m|en|practical]], [[m|en|convenient]], well suited to its purpose: ''eine praktische Tasche''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Skilled at dealing with everyday problems, practical-minded: ''ein praktischer Mensch''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(colloquial)'' Basically, [[m|en|virtually]], as good as: ''Das Spiel ist praktisch gewonnen.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[praktischerweise]]

+ * [[Praktiker]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[Praktik]]

+ * [[Praxis]]

+ * [[praktizieren]]

+ * [[Praktikum]]

+ * [[pragmatisch]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}