PARSE: 1: to give a grammatical description of a word or a group of words 2: to examine in a minute way: analyze critically
It "parse" brings up images of elementary school and learning the parts of speech, you've done your homework regarding this word. "Parse" comes from the first element of pars orationis, the Latin term for "part of speech." It's an old word that has been used in the schoolroom since at least the time of Edward VI of England (1537-53). Edwards' tutor, Richard Cox, recorded that at the age of nine the young prince had memorized all four of the Roman author Cato's Moral Distichs and had parsed them as well. But it was not until the late 18th century that "parse" graduated to its extended, non-grammar-related sense. Remembering this extended sense will put you at the head of the class.
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