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Priscian’s Head

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To break Priscian’s head (in Latin, “Diminuĕre Prisciaʹni capʹut”). To violate the rules of grammar. Priscian was a great grammarian of the fifth century, whose name is almost synonymous with grammar.

“Priscian’s head is often bruised without remorse.”—P. Thompson.


“And held no sin so deeply red

As that of breaking Priscian’s head.”


Butler: Hudibras, pt. ii. 2.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Prince
Prince of Wales (The)
Prince Rupert’s Drops
Prince’s Peers
Princox or Princocks
Prink
Printer’s Devil
Printers Marks
Printing
Priori
Priscian’s Head
Priscillianists
Prisoner at the Bar
Prisoner of Chillon
Prithu
Priuli
Privolvans
Privy Council
Privy Seal
Pro and Con. (Latin)
Pro Tanto