practicalist
|prac-ti-cal-ist|
/ˈpræk.tɪ.kəl.ɪst/
practical person
Etymology
'practicalist' originates from English, specifically formed by combining 'practical' + the agentive suffix '-ist', where 'practical' ultimately comes from Latin 'practicus' meaning 'fit for action' and '-ist' (via Greek/Late Latin) marks a person characterized by a practice or doctrine.
'practical' entered English from Old French/Latin roots (Latin 'practicus' via Old French 'pratique' and Middle English forms) and the modern English suffix '-ist' (from Greek '-istes'/'-ista') was later attached to form 'practicalist' as a nonce or derived noun in modern English.
Initially the root meant 'relating to practice or action'; over time the compound form developed the specific sense 'a person who emphasizes practical action or outcomes' rather than the more general adjectival sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is guided by practical considerations and focuses on what works in practice rather than on theory.
As a practicalist, she always chooses solutions that can be implemented quickly and reliably.
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Noun 2
someone who habitually prefers practical outcomes and efficiency over abstract principles or idealistic goals.
The board hired a practicalist to streamline operations and cut unnecessary costs.
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Last updated: 2025/11/16 01:08