Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Grammar

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 aud application of the rules of a language, in speaking or writing.

The whole fabric of grammar rests upon the classifying of words according to their function in the sentence.

2. The art of speaking or writing with correctness or according to established usage; speech considered with regard to the rules of a grammar. The original bad grammar and bad spelling. (Macaulay)

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

4. Treatise on the elements or principles of any science; as, a grammar of geography. Comparative grammar, the science which determines the relations of kindred languages by examining and comparing their grammatical forms. Grammar school. 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. 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 665 they may be fitted for the university. (mass. Records (1647)) in the American system of graded common schools an intermediate grade between the primary school and the high school, in which the principles of english grammar are taught.

Origin: 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.