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Definition of phatic adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

phatic

adjective
 
/ˈfætɪk/
 
/ˈfætɪk/
adjective (linguistics)
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  1. relating to language used for social purposes rather than to give information or ask questions
    • phatic communication
    Word Origin1920s: from Greek phatos ‘spoken’ or phatikos ‘affirming’.
See phatic in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
previously
adverb
 
 
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