| 释义 |
Priscian|ˈprɪʃ(ɪ)ən|
[ad. L. Prisciān-us.]
Name of a celebrated Roman grammarian, c 500–530: used esp. in the phrase to break (knock) Priscian's head (pate), to violate the rules of grammar (L. diminuere Prisciani caput).
c1525Skelton Sp. Parrot 176 Prisians hed broken now handy dandy, And Inter didascolos is rekened for a fole. c1533R. List in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. iii. II. 252 Many a tyme when he [Father Forest] hath preched..I have harde hym soo often breke Master Precyens hede. 1588Shakes. L.L.L. v. i. 31. 1606 Sir G. Goosecappe i. iv. in Bullen O. Pl. III. 26 Will speake false Latine, and breake Priscians head. 1633Gerard Descr. Somerset (1900) 224 Knocking poore Priscian's pate soe familiarly as in most ancient evidence they doe. 1664Butler Hud. ii. ii. 224 [They] hold no sin so deeply red, As that of breaking Priscian's Head. 1728Pope Dunc. iii. 162 Some free from rhyme or reason, rule or check, Break Priscian's head, and Pegasus's neck. a1849H. Coleridge Ess. (1851) II. 124 If he has not broken Priscian's head, he has at least boxed his ears.
†b. transf. A grammarian. So ˈPriscianist.
1598Marston Pygmal. iv. 64 But thus it is when pitty Priscians Will needs step vp to be Censorians. 1611Coryat Crudities 64 He had a little beggarly and course latin, so much as a Priscianist may have. |