English
wikipedia
Etymology
From AGr. polytonic|�α��� �spoken�, from polytonic|�άναι �to say�.
Pronunciation
IPA|/�fætɪk/
Adjective
en-adj
- context|Linguistics Pertaining to words used to convey polite mood, rather than meaning; for example, "You're welcome" is not used to convey its literal meaning but is said only as an automatic polite response to an expression of thanks.
#*1978, Anthony Burgess, 1985:
#*:Generally speaking, statements in WE are expected to be of a tautologous nature, thus fulfilling the essential phatic nature of speech.
#*2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage 2007, p. 467:
#*:Dispensing with phatic chitchat, he began straightaway to tell the story of his �people.�
See also
emphatic
platitude
tr:phatic
zh:phatic
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