- phatic
- UK [ˈfætɪk] / US
adjective linguistics
used for describing words or phrases that you use for social reasons, for example in order to be friendly, rather than in order to give information
English dictionary. 2014.
phatic
Look at other dictionaries:
phatic — [fat′ik] adj. [< Gr phatos, spoken (< phanai, to speak: see PHONO ) + IC] of, constituting, or given to formulistic talk or meaningless sounds that are used merely to establish social contact rather than to communicate ideas [phatic… … English World dictionary
phatic — 1923, from Gk. phatos spoken, from phanai to speak, say (see FAME (Cf. fame)) + IC (Cf. ic) … Etymology dictionary
Phatic — In linguistics, a phatic expression is one whose only function is to perform a social task, as opposed to conveying information. [ Malinowski, B. (1923) The Problem of Meaning in Primitive Languages”, in: Charles K. Ogden / Ian A. Richards (eds.) … Wikipedia
phatic — /fat ik/, adj. denoting speech used to express or create an atmosphere of shared feelings, goodwill, or sociability rather than to impart information: phatic communion. [1923; prob. < Gk phat(ós) spoken, capable of being spoken (verbid of phánai… … Universalium
phatic — adjective /ˈfætɪk/ Pertaining to words used to convey any kind of social relationship e.g polite mood, rather than meaning; for example, How are you? is often not a literal question but is said only as a greeting. (Similarly, a response such as… … Wiktionary
phatic — /ˈfætɪk/ (say fatik) adjective of speech used to make social contact, without necessarily conveying a particular meaning: phatic communication. {Greek phatos spoken + ic} …
phatic communication — noun conversational speech used to communicate sociability more than information • Syn: ↑phatic speech • Hypernyms: ↑conversation … Useful english dictionary
phatic speech — noun conversational speech used to communicate sociability more than information • Syn: ↑phatic communication • Hypernyms: ↑conversation … Useful english dictionary
phatic — adjective Etymology: Greek phatos, verbal of phanai to speak Date: 1922 of, relating to, or being speech used for social or emotive purposes rather than for communicating information • phatically adverb … New Collegiate Dictionary
phatic — See speech act … Philosophy dictionary
phatic — [ fatɪk] adjective (of language) used for general social interaction rather than to convey specific meaning, e.g. nice morning, isn t it? Origin 1920s: from Gk phatos spoken or phatikos affirming … English new terms dictionary
