pragmatic sanction

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noun

any one of various imperial decrees with the effect of fundamental law.

(initial capital letters)History/Historical.

any of several imperial or royal decrees limiting the power or privilege of the papacy, as the decree of Charles VII of France in 1438 or that of the Diet of Mainz in 1439.
the imperial decree of Charles VI of Austria in 1713, by which his daughter, Maria Theresa, inherited his dominions.

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Words nearby pragmatic sanction

pragmatagnosia, pragmatamnesia, pragmatic, pragmaticism, pragmatics, pragmatic sanction, pragmatic theory, pragmatism, pragmatist, Prague, Prague maneuver

How to use pragmatic sanction in a sentence

But, as far as I can discern, they do focused, pragmatic work.
COEXIST’s Bonehead Bumper-Sticker Politics|Michael Schulson|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Chase supplements this general directive with some more pragmatic suggestions for women looking to find sexual fulfillment.
Was 2014 the Year Science Discovered The Female Orgasm?|Samantha Allen|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mixner, both passionate and pragmatic, found a focus in his activism.
Gay Activist David Mixner: I Mercy Killed 8 People|Tim Teeman|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fairchild considers herself a pragmatic liberal—a registered Democrat and “kind of a boring moderate.”
Morgan Fairchild: Badass Foreign Policy Wonk|Asawin Suebsaeng|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The aim is very pragmatic and much less idealistic than, say, similar protests in Egypt or Turkey in the last few years.
Beijing/Hong Kong: A Tale of Two Cities as Demonstrations Continue|Ben Leung|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Indeed, this symbol is no less appropriate than the one just considered, and has equally the sanction of Scripture.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
He was desired by the speaker to withdraw, as no affirmation could be made without the sanction of the house.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
They became engaged, and Gibbon implored her to marry him without waiting for the sanction of his father.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)|Edward Gibbon
Play-writers heralded it on the stage, bestowing upon it the passport of literary sanction.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
In the following year it gave its sanction to a similar proposal by the Bradford Board of Guardians.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb

British Dictionary definitions for pragmatic sanction

pragmatic sanction

noun

an edict, decree, or ordinance issued with the force of fundamental law by a sovereign

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012