SYNTAX

syntax, sentence structure, phrase structure

(noun) the grammatical arrangement of words in sentences

syntax

(noun) studies of the rules for forming admissible sentences

syntax

(noun) a systematic orderly arrangement

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

syntax (countable and uncountable, plural syntaxes)

A set of rules that govern how words are combined to form phrases and sentences.

(computing, countable) The formal rules of formulating the statements of a computer language.

(linguistics) The study of the structure of phrases, sentences and language.

Usage notes

The joke plural syntices occasionally occurs in blogs (by false analogy with matrix etc.)

Synonyms

• (grammar): syntaxis

Source: Wiktionary

Syn"tax, n. Etym: [L. syntaxis, Gr. syntaxe. See Syn-, and Tactics.]

1. Connected system or order; union of things; a number of things jointed together; organism. [Obs.] They owe no other dependence to the first than what is common to the whole syntax of beings. Glanvill.

2. That part of grammar which treats of the construction of sentences; the due arrangement of words in sentences in their necessary relations, according to established usage in any language.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition