Definition of "phatic"

Generally speaking, statements in WE are expected to be of a tautologous nature, thus fulfilling the essential phatic nature of speech.

1978, Anthony Burgess, 1985

Dispensing with phatic chitchat, he began straightaway to tell the story of his “people.”

2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage, published 2007, page 467