Grammar

Grammar
Grammar Gram"mar, n. [OE. gramere, OF. gramaire, F. grammaire Prob. fr. L. gramatica Gr ?, fem. of ? skilled in grammar, fr. ? letter. See {Gramme}, {Graphic}, and cf. {Grammatical}, {Gramarye}.] 1. The science which treats of the principles of language; the study of forms of speech, and their relations to one another; the art concerned with the right use and application of the rules of a language, in speaking or writing. [1913 Webster]

Note: The whole fabric of grammar rests upon the classifying of words according to their function in the sentence. --Bain. [1913 Webster]

2. The art of speaking or writing with correctness or according to established usage; speech considered with regard to the rules of a grammar. [1913 Webster]

The original bad grammar and bad spelling. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

3. A treatise on the principles of language; a book containing the principles and rules for correctness in speaking or writing. [1913 Webster]

4. treatise on the elements or principles of any science; as, a grammar of geography. [1913 Webster]

{Comparative grammar}, the science which determines the relations of kindred languages by examining and comparing their grammatical forms.

{Grammar school}. (a) A school, usually endowed, in which Latin and Greek grammar are taught, as also other studies preparatory to colleges or universities; as, the famous Rugby Grammar School. This use of the word is more common in England than in the United States. [1913 Webster]

When any town shall increase to the number of a hundred families or householders, they shall set up a grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so far as they may be fitted for the University. --Mass. Records (1647). (b) In the American system of graded common schools, at one time the term referred to an intermediate school between the primary school and the high school, in which the principles of English grammar were taught; now, it is synonymous with {primary school} or {elementary school}, being the first school at which children are taught subjects required by the state educational laws. In different communities, the grammar school (primary school) may have grades 1 to 4, 1 to 6, or 1 to 8, usually together with a kindergarten. Schools between the primary school and high school are now commonly termed {middle school} or {intermediate school}. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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