praemunire 
for whicli it is granted, or the penalty incurred. 
Originally the offense contemplated was the Introduc- 
tion of a foreign power into the kingdom. Whenever 
it is aaid that a person by any act Incurs a prxmunire, 
ft IB meant to express that he thereby inenrs the pen- 
alty of being out of the crown's protection, of having his 
lands and tenements, goods and chattels, forfeited to the 
crown, and hia body remain in prison during the sover- 
eign's pleasure. Tills penalty attached In former times 
to the offenses of asserting the jurisdiction of the Pope, 
especially by impleadlng other subjects in foreign ecclesi- 
astical courts, and denying the sovereign's supremacy, toy 
later statutes, acts of a very miscellaneous nature have 
been rendered liable to the penalties of praemunire, as re- 
fusing to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy. 
He (Henry VIII.] saw that the Pnmumin made him 
absolutely master of the clergy, and, as absolute master, 
the primary owner of all Church property. 
Stubbt, Medieval and Modern Hist, p. 254. 
2f. A serious or awkward position; a predica- 
ment. 
If the law finds you with two wives at once, 
There 's a shrewd premunire. 
Middleton, Massinger, aiul Rowley, Old Law, v. 
Praemunire case, or the case of prsemunire, the name 
by which reference is frequently made to the conviction 
and attainder of Robert Lalor, priest, indicted in 1606 (.Sir 
John Davis, Ireland, Rep., 83 o: 2 How. St. Tr., 534) for 
having exercised the office of vicar-general of Dublin, etc., 
by appointment of the Pope, In violation of the Statute of 
Fnnnantn (16 Rich. n.,c. !>). statute of PrsBmunlre. 
(a) An English statute or ordinance of 1353, imposing out- 
lawry, forfeiture, and imprisonment on those who should 
sue In foreign courts for matters cognizable in England, 
and thereafter not appear, when summoned, to answer 
for their contempt. (6) Another English statute, of 1392, 
designed to check the power of the Pope in England, by 
punishing those who procured from the papal authority 
any process against the king, or his crown or realm. 
praemunire, premunire (pre-mu-ni're),r. t. [< 
preeiuuiiirc, .] To bring within the penalties 
of u prtemunire. 
For you must know that Horn deslr'd 
To have good Bonner prxmunired, 
T. Ward, England's Reformation, p. 16. 
praemunitory, . See prcmunitory. 
praenarial (pre-na'ri-al), a. [< prienaris + -/.] 
Pertaining to the prsenares. 
praenaris (pre-na'ris), .; pi. prsenares (-rez). 
[NL. (Wilder), < L. prie, before, + naris, a nos- 
tril: see Hrtr/.v.] The anterior nostril; the an- 
terior opening of the nasal chamber; the nos- 
tril of ordinary language: distinguished from 
postnaris, 
praenomen, prenomen (prf-no'men), .; pi. 
prisnomina, prcnnmina (pre-nom'i-nft), [< L. 
prteiiomen, a lirst or personal name, < prse, be- 
fore, + iioHieu, name: see iiomen.] 1. Among 
the ancient Komans, a name prefixed to the 
family name, answering to the modern Christian 
or personal name, as Gain*, Lucius, Marcus, etc. 
The Roman child received Its pr/rnomen with a lustra- 
tion at about the same age |one week|. 
E. B. Tylor, Prim. Culture, II. 397. 
2. In zool., the generic name, or name of the ge- 
nus to which a species belongs, which invari- 
ably precedes the specific or trivial name in the 
binomial system of nomenclature. Thus, Fell* 
is the prsenoinen in the term Felts leo, which is 
the technical name of the lion. 
praenominal, a. See prenominat. 
praecesophageal, praeopercular, etc. See pre- 
ctiophtitictt!, etc. 
praeoperculum, preoperculum (pre-6-per'ku- 
lum), 11. ; pi. prtenjierciila, pi-eopercula (-la). 
[NL.,< L.JOVP, before, + opercuhtm,<\.\.'] 1. In 
but., the fore lidoroperculum in mosses. 2. In 
iflitli.,oue of the four principal opercular bones. 
See operculiim (l>) (5), and cut under tfleo.it. 
praepelvisterniim, prepelvisternum (pre-pel- 
vi-ster'imm), u. ; pi. prtepeMsteriia, preprlri- 
steriid (-na). [NL., < L. prep, before, + pelri- 
sterniini.] An anterior pelvisternum. 
praeperforatus (pre-per-fo-ra'tus), n. ; pi. prse- 
perforati (-ti). [NL., < L. prte, before, + per- 
foratux, perforate: see perforate, a.] The an- 
terior perforated space at the base of the brain ; 
the precribrum. 
praescutellum (pre-sku-tel'um), . [NL., < L. 
prie. before, + NL. sentellum,q. v.] Ineiitom., 
a rarely differentiated sclerite between the 
mesoscutum and the mesoscutellum. 
praescutum (pre-sku'tum), H. ; pi. priescuta (-ta). 
[XL., < L. prie, before, + scutum, a shield: see 
scutum.'] The first or anterior one of the four 
selerites or pieces of hard integument into 
which the pronotum, mesonotum, and inetano- 
tum of insects are severally divisible ; the fore- 
most piece of the terguni of each one of the three 
thoracic segments, situated in advance of the 
piece called the .11-11 1 HIM. 
praeseminal, <i. See presemiiuil. 
Praesepe (pre-se'pe), H. [L., also prxsepex, prif- 
,ii-pi.i, pru-xi'pitini, an inclosure, fold, pen, stall. 
4007 
manger, crib, < prssepirc, fence in front, (pro*, 
before, + sepire, fence: see xeptum.] A loose 
cluster of stars, appearing as a nebula to the 
naked eye, in the breast of the Crab ; t Cancri. 
praesepium (pre-se'pi-um), >i. ; \>\. prxgepia (-ft). 
[NL.,< lj.priege]>ium,prsesaepium, manger, crib: 
see Prtuepe.] A representation of the nativity 
of Christ when treated decorati vely, as in woou- 
carving or the like. It commonly contains at least 
two separate views or subjects the babe lying in the 
manger and adored by the mother, and the adoration by 
the shepherds. 
praesternum, presternum (pre-ster'num), n. 
[NL., < L. prie, before, + NL. sternum, q. v.] 1. 
The fore part of the sternum ; the part of any 
sternum which corresponds to the manubrium 
of the human breast-bone; the part immedi- 
ately preceding the mesosternum or gladio- 
lus. See cut under mesosternum. 2. li\rnt<n., 
same as prosteriium. 
praestonual, a. See prestomial. 
praestomium (pre-sto'mi-um), n.; pi. prsesto- 
wii'a(-ft). [NL., 
< L. prse, be- 
fore, + Or. 
arofui, mouth.] 
In Annelida, a 
distinct cepha- 
lic segment 
of the higher 
polychffitous 
worms, bear- 
ing the eyes 
and tentacles. 
Also prextomi- 
H in. See also 
cut under Po- 
li 
praetert, . and 
11. See jireter. Anterior Extremity of roljnof, a polych* 
Se6 tous annelid (B, from above: C. from llow>; 
<t, prastomial tentacle ; f>, *'. superior and in- 
ferior praestoniial cirri: f, (', notopodial and 
neuropodial cirri : f. peduncle of first cly- 
tron ; /, prarstoniium : m, parapodiumof peri- 
. See prefer- stomium. 
human, 
praeteritt, a. and . An obsolete spelling of 
preterit. 
praeterition, . See preterition. 
praetexta (pre-teks'ta), H. ; pi. prxteita (-te). 
[L., fern, of prmtextA, pp. of prateiere, weave 
in front, edge, border: see prctex, pretcrt.] In 
ancient Home: (o) A white toga or wrap with a 
broad purple border, worn by children of both 
sexes. It was laid aside by young men upon becoming 
entitled to assume the toga virills, not before completion 
of their fourteenth year. Girls wore It till their marriage. 
(6) A white toga with a broad border of purple, 
worn as their official dress by higher magistrates 
and priests, and upon certain ceremonial occa- 
sions, as t he discharge of vows or the celebration 
of religious rites, by those citizens who were 
chiefly concerned. Compare clavus. 
The prtrtfita, on the other hand, with Its purple bor- 
der, could only be worn along with a white tunic under It 
with a purple stripe (clavus). Encyc. Brit., VI. 456. 
praetor, praetym panic, etc. See pretor, etc. 
pragmatic (prag-mat'ik), a. and H. [< P. prag- 
matique = Sp. pragmdtico = Pg.pragmatieo = 
It. prammatico, pragmatico (cf. D. G. pragma- 
tiscli = Sw. Dan. pragmatisk), adj., pragmatic 
(as a noun, masc., in def. 1 ; tem.Y.pragmatique 
= Sp. pragmatica, n., = Pg. pragmatica, n., = 
It. prammatica, pragmatica, in def. 3); < LL. 
praymaticux, relating to civil affairs (pragmati- 
ca sanctio orjiissio or annotatio or constitutio, a 
pragmatic sanction, i. e. an imperial decree re- 
lating to the affairs of a community, ML. simply 
pragmatiea, a decree) ; in L., as a noun, a per- 
son versed in the law who furnished arguments 
and points to advocates and orators, a kind of 
attorney; < Gr. wpaj/irof, active, versed in 
affairs, etc., < irpay/ia (> LL. pragma), a thing 
done, a fact, pi. vpaffutra, affairs, state affairs, 
public business, etc., < irpaaactv (^ irpay), do: 
see practic, practice, etc.] I. o. 1. Relating to 
civil affairs ; relating or pertaining to the affairs 
of a community. See pragmatic sanction, be- 
low. 2. Same as pragma ticttl, in any sense. 
Nor can your Palace he a dwelling-place 
For Safety, whilst pragmatic Logos or 
Sly Charts revel in your princely Grace. 
J. Beaumont, Psyche, v. 153. 
I love to hit 
These pragmatic young men at their own weapons. 
B. Jonxm, Devil is an Ass, L 3. 
3. Iii the Kantian philox , practical in a particu- 
lar way namely, having reference to happi- 
ness. -pragmatic method, pragmatic treatment, 
the treatment tif historical phenomena with special refer- 
pragmatize 
ence to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results. 
Also praginatim. Pragmatic sanction, a term first 
applied to certain decrees of the Byzantine emperors, 
regulating the interests of their subject provinces and 
towns ; then to a system of limitations set to the spiritual 
power of the Pope In European countries : as, for Instance, 
the French pragmatic unction of 126H, and that of 1438. 
Lastly, it became the name for an arrangement or family 
compact, made by different potentates, regarding succes- 
sion to sovereignty the most noted )>elng the Instrument 
by which the emperor C'harles VI., being without male Is- 
sue, endeavored to secure the succession to his female de- 
scendants, settling his dominions on his daughter Maria 
Theresa. 
II. " If. A man of business; one who is 
versed or active in affairs. 
He 's my attorney and solicitor too ; a fine pragmatic. 
B. Jmaon. 
2f. A busybody ; a meddlesome person. 
Such praomatidn . . . labour Impertinently. 
Bp. Qaudtn, Tears of the Church, p. 5O2. (Dacia.) 
Keep to your problems of ten groats ; these matter* are 
not for pratjmatifkg and folkrnooters to babble in. 
Hilton, Prose Works, I. 330. 
3. A decree or ordinance issued by the head of 
a state. 
A pragmatic was issued, September 18th, 1495, prescrib- 
ing the weapons and the seasons for a regular training of 
the militia. Prexott, Ferd. and Isa., II. 28, note. 
pragmatica (prag-mat'i-ka), . [ML. : see prag- 
matic.] Same &s pragmatic, n., 3. 
Royal praymaticai began to take the place of constitu- 
tional laws. Encye. Brit., IX. 811. 
pragmatical (prag-mat'i-kal), a. and n. [< prag- 
matic + -al.] I. a. If. Versed in affairs ; skilled 
in business; engaged in business pursuits. 
Pragmatical men may not go away with an opinion that 
learning is like a lark, that can mount, and sing, and please 
herself, and nothing else. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, II. 323. 
2. Active; diligent; busy. 
I received instructions how to l>ehave in town, with di- 
rections to masters and )x>ok8 to take in search of the an- 
tiquities, churches, collections, etc. Accordingly, the next 
day, Nov. 6th, I began to be very pragmatical. 
Ktelyn, Diary, Xov. 4, 1644. 
3. Pertaining to business or to material inter- 
ests ; hence, material ; commonplace. 
Low pragmatical earthly views of the gospel. Hart. 
"In One Town," though a little praymaticai and matter 
of fact, is not uninteresting. Alhcnteum, No. 3068, p. 203. 
4f. Practical; authoritative. 
Can a man thus imployd find himselfe discontented or 
dfshonour'd for want of admittance to have a praymaticall 
voyce at Sessions and Jayle deliveries? 
Haion, On lief, of Humb. Remonst. 
5. Unduly busy over the affairs of others ; med- 
dlesome; interfering; officious. 
The fellow grew so pragmatical that he took on him the 
management of my wnole family. Arbuthnot. 
6. Characterized by officiousness; performed 
or delivered by an officious person; intrusive. 
It is like you to give ti pragmatical opinion without be- 
ing acquainted with any of the circumstances of the case. 
Charlotte Bronte, The Professor. 
Suddenly an unknown individual, In plain clothes and 
with a pragmatical demeanor, interrupted the discourse 
by giving a flat contradiction to some of the doctrines ad- 
vanced. Motley, Dutch Republic, I. 544. 
7. Busy over trifles ; self-important; busy. 
You cannot imagine what airs all the little pragmatical 
fellows about us have given themselves since the reading 
of those papers. Additon, Tin- Tall Club. 
Il.t " A professional opinion or decision. 
The eloquent persuasions and pragmatical* of Mr. Sec- 
retary Wlndwood. 
HIIIIIII, To the King, 1617, July 25, Work*, XIII. 232. 
pragmatically (prag-mat'i-kal-i), mil'. Iii a 
pragmatic manner. 
Over busy, or pragmatically curious. 
Rarroic, Sermons, I. 507. 
pragmaticalness (prag-mat'i-kal-nes), n. The 
character of being pragmatical, in any sense; 
especially, meddlesomeness; officiousness; ex- 
cessive zeal. 
pragmatism (prag'ma-tizm), n. [< pragmat(ic) 
+ -ism.] 1 . Pragmatical character or conduct ; 
officiousness; busy impertinence. 
Mr-. Dollop, the spirited landlady of the Tankard In 
Slaughter Lane, . . . had often to resist the shallow prag- 
matism of customers disposed to think that their reports 
from the outer world were of equal force with what had 
"come up " in her mind. Gtorge KIM, Middlemarch, Ixxl. 
2. In hint., same as pragmatic method. See 
pragmatic, a. 
pragmatist (prag'ma-tist), H. [< pragtuat(ie) 
+ -tit.] One who is impertinently busy or 
meddling. 
We may say of praymatut* that their eyes look all ways 
but inward. Up. Reynold!, The Passions, xvi. 
pragmatize (prag'ma-tiz). r. t. : pret. and pp. 
pr<iiimati:e<l. ppr. praymutisiny. 
