syntaxis

[ sin-tak-sis ]

noun

1. Geology. a point in a mountain range or group of geological folds where the dominant orientation changes abruptly.
2. Grammar, Older Use. syntax ( def 1 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of syntaxis¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Late Latin, from Greek: literally, “arrangement in order,” equivalent to syntag- (stem of syntássein “to arrange together”; syntactic ) + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

“If I am your guest, I should at least be served tea and cookies,” said Ellen Jovin, a principal at Syntaxis, a New York City company that teaches businesses how to use written and spoken language more effectively.

From New York Times

Ptolemy's greatest work was the "Megale Syntaxis," generally known as the Almagest.

From Project Gutenberg

The real revival of Greek astronomy took place in the fourteenth century when scholars began to realize that new work in astronomy must be preceded by a thorough knowledge of the astronomy of the Alexandrian school as exhibited in the Syntaxis of Ptolemy.

From Project Gutenberg

After Archimedes, the most notable result was that given by Ptolemy, in the "Great Syntaxis."

From Project Gutenberg

After an eight-year study of the Syntaxis, Ptolemy's 13-volume collection of celestial observations, Robert R. Newton of the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University has concluded that Ptolemy faked his figures.

From Time Magazine Archive