| parse |
| Definition: To break up a phrase, sentence, or passage into its grammatical parts, while at the same time describing the syntactic roles of these parts. |
| Etymology: It derives from the Old French pars, parts. Note: the word and concept ultimately derive from the Latin grammar school question Quae pars orationis?, What part of speech (is it)? |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The word's first OED citation is from about 1553: "He [Prince Edward] hath learned almoste foure bookes of Cato to construe, to parse, and to say wythout booke." (Coxe Let. in Foxe A. & M. (1583) 1395/2) |