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.
&fist; 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.
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 an intermediate grade between the primary school and the high
school, in which the principles of English grammar are
taught.
Gram"mar, v. i. To discourse
according to the rules of grammar; to use grammar. [Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
