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Contents
grammar definition
Overview
This page has 11 definitions of grammar in English and Manx. Grammar is a noun and verb. Examples of how to use grammar in a sentence are shown. Also define these 15 related words and terms: language, linguistics, morphology, syntax, computing, theory, formal language, rule, principle, knowledge, skill, textbook, grammar school, discourse, and grammar.
English grammar definition
Alternative forms
- grammary (archaic)
Etymology
From Middle English gramer, gramarye, gramery, from Old French gramaire (“classical learning”), from Latin grammatica, from Ancient Greek γραμματική (grammatikḗ, “skilled in writing”), from γράμμα (grámma, “line of writing”), from γράφω (gráphō, “write”), from Proto-Indo-European *gerbʰ- (“to carve, scratch”).
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɡɹæm.ə(ɹ)/
- (General American) enPR: grăm'ər, IPA(key): /ˈɡɹæmɚ/
Audio (GA) (file) - Rhymes: -æmə(ɹ)
- Hyphenation: gram‧mar
Noun
grammar (countable and uncountable, plural grammars)
- A system of rules and principles for speaking and writing a language.
Language definition
A body of words, and set of methods of combining them (called a grammar), understood by a community and used as a form of communication. (1 of 9 language definitions)
- (uncountable, linguistics) The study of the internal structure of words (morphology) and the use of words in the construction of phrases and sentences (syntax).
Linguistics definition
The scientific study of language.
Morphology definition
A scientific study of form and structure, usually without regard to function. Especially:- The study of the internal structure of morphemes (words and their semantic building blocks).
- The study of the form and structure of animals and plants.
- The study of the structure of rocks and landforms.
- Mathematical morphology.
Syntax definition
A set of rules that govern how words are combined to form phrases and sentences. (1 of 3 syntax definitions)
- 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.
Theory definition
A description of an event or system that is considered to be accurate. (1 of 7 theory definitions)
- 2006, Patrick Blackburn · Johan Bos · Kristina Striegnitz, Learn Prolog Now!, §8.2
- Actual or presumed prescriptive notions about the correct use of a language.
- (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.
Knowledge definition
The fact of knowing about something; general understanding or familiarity with a subject, place, situation etc. (1 of 12 knowledge definitions)
Skill definition
Capacity to do something well; technique, ability. Skills are usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities, which are often thought of as innate. (1 of 4 skill definitions)
- 2011, Javier Solana and Daniel Innerarity, Project Syndicate, The New Grammar of Power:
- (Britain, archaic) A textbook.
- a grammar of geography
Textbook definition
A coursebook, a formal manual of instruction in a specific subject, especially one for use in schools or colleges.
- (Britain) A grammar school.
- 2012, Graeme Paton, A green light for more grammars? (in The Daily Telegraph, 11 January 2012)
Grammar School definition
A school that teaches its pupils the grammar system of a European language, especially Latin and Greek. (1 of 3 grammar school definitions)
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
- normative 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
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Dictionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
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
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grammar on Wikipedia.Wikipedia - Appendix:Glossary of grammar
- Category:Grammar
Further reading
Manx grammar definition
Noun
grammar m (genitive singular , plural )
- grammar
Grammar definition
A system of rules and principles for speaking and writing a language. (1 of 9 grammar definitions)
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. | ||