Merriam-Webster definition of parse

[Bob Haas]

Not at all, Andrea.  Your understanding of parse is the first order of
definition in the American Heritage Dictionary.  I'm surprised that M-W
didn't specify grammar--I noticed that this morning in my Word of the Day
message--but the M-W definition does say something about breaking a sentence
down into its constituent parts, does it not?

I might be mis-remembering; I always flush the Word of the Day immediately
upon reading it.

bob

> From: "A. Vine" <avine at ENG.SUN.COM>
>
> When I use the word "parse" to describe an action not related to grammar, I
> intend the grammar sense of the action.  That is, if I parse something, I am
> breaking it down into its constituent parts, not merely examining it in a
> minute
> way, or critically analyzing it as defined by M-W.
>
> Is this a personal quirk?