PRACTICAL


Meaning of PRACTICAL in English

I. ˈprak-ti-kəl adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin practicus, from Greek praktikos, from prassein to pass over, fare, do; akin to Greek peran to pass through — more at fare

Date: 15th century

1.

a. : of, relating to, or manifested in practice or action : not theoretical or ideal

a practical question

for all practical purposes

b. : being such in practice or effect : virtual

a practical failure

2. : actively engaged in some course of action or occupation

a practical farmer

3. : capable of being put to use or account : useful

he had a practical knowledge of French

4.

a. : disposed to action as opposed to speculation or abstraction

b.

(1) : qualified by practice or practical training

a good practical mechanic

(2) : designed to supplement theoretical training by experience

5. : concerned with voluntary action and ethical decisions

practical reason

• prac·ti·cal·i·ty ˌprak-ti-ˈka-lə-tē noun

• prac·ti·cal·ness ˈprak-ti-kəl-nəs noun

II. noun

Date: 1925

: an examination requiring demonstration of some practical skill

a zoology practical

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.