Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Grammar
Gram′mar
,Noun.
[OE.
gramere
, OF. gramaire
, F. grammaire
Prob. fr. L. gramatica
Gr [GREEK], fem. of [GREEK] skilled in grammar, fr. [GREEK] 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.
☞ The whole fabric of grammar rests upon the classifying of words according to their function in the sentence.
Bain.
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)
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.
Gram′mar
,Verb.
I.
To discourse according to the rules of grammar; to use grammar.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
Webster 1828 Edition
Grammar
GRAM'MAR
,Noun.
1.
In practice, the art of speaking or writing a language with propriety or correctness, according to established usage.As a science, grammar treats of the natural connection between ideas and words, and develops the principles which are common to all languages.
2.
A system of general principles and of particular rules for speaking or writing a language; or digested compilation of customary forms of speech in a nation; also, a book containing such principles and rules.3.
Propriety of speech. To write grammar, we must write according to the practice of good writers and speakers.GRAM'MAR
,Verb.
I.
GRAM'MAR
,Adj.
Definition 2024
grammar
grammar
English
Alternative forms
Noun
grammar (countable and uncountable, plural grammars)
- A system of rules and principles for speaking and writing a language.
- (uncountable, linguistics) The study of the internal structure of words (morphology) and the use of words in the construction of phrases and sentences (syntax).
- A book describing the rules of grammar of a language.
- (computing theory) A formal system specifying the syntax of a language.
- 2006, Patrick Blackburn · Johan Bos · Kristina Striegnitz, Learn Prolog Now!, §8.2
- Because real lexicons are big and complex, from a software engineering perspective it is best to write simple grammars that have a simple, well-defined way, of pulling out the information they need from vast lexicons. That is, grammars should be thought of as separate entities which can access the information contained in lexicons. We can then use specialised mechanisms for efficiently storing the lexicon and retrieving data from it.
- 2006, Patrick Blackburn · Johan Bos · Kristina Striegnitz, Learn Prolog Now!, §8.2
- (computing theory) A formal system defining a formal language
- The basic rules or principles of a field of knowledge or a particular skill.
- 2011, Javier Solana and Daniel Innerarity, Project Syndicate, The New Grammar of Power:
- We must learn a new grammar of power in a world that is made up more of the common good – or the common bad – than of self-interest or national interest.
- 2011, Javier Solana and Daniel Innerarity, Project Syndicate, The New Grammar of Power:
- (Britain, archaic) A textbook.
- a grammar of geography
- (Britain) A grammar school.
- 2012, Graeme Paton, A green light for more grammars? (in The Daily Telegraph, 11 January 2012)
Synonyms
- (study & field of study in medieval Latin contexts): glomery
- (linguistics): morpho-syntax (from the relationship between morphology and syntax)
Hyponyms
- context-sensitive grammar
- finite-state grammar
- Turing-complete grammar
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
rules for speaking and writing a language
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study of internal structure and use of words
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book describing grammar
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in computing: formal system specifying the syntax of a language
Verb
grammar (third-person singular simple present grammars, present participle grammaring, simple past and past participle grammared)
- (obsolete, intransitive) To discourse according to the rules of grammar; to use grammar.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Beaumont and Fletcher to this entry?)
See also
Manx
Noun
grammar m (genitive singular [please provide], plural [please provide])
Mutation
| Manx mutation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Radical | Lenition | Eclipsis |
| grammar | ghrammar | ngrammar |
| Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs. | ||