c++ - Where does the word "pragma" come from?

Question

So I know what pragma is, and what it's used for, but what is the meaning of the word itself? I've used it many times in code, but I never really knew what the word actually means or stands for.

Answer 1

According to a US Government-owned(!) document describing the design of Ada: Rationale for the Design of the Ada? Programming Language :

A pragma (from the Greek word meaning action) is used to direct the actions of the compiler in particular ways, but has no effect on the semantics of a program (in general).

I like the (last caveat) there...

This cross references well with on-line greek dictionaries (e.g. as quoted by Martin York) that say pragma (πρ?γμα, as commented on the original question by asveikau) means:

1. that which has been done, a deed, an accomplished fact
2. what is done or being accomplished
   1. spec. business, a commercial transaction
3. a matter, question, affair
   1. spec. in a forensic sense, a matter at law, case, suit
4. that which is or exists, a thing

Seems the key to understanding is the word action rather than information.