2. The same as CRAMMING, which see.

2. The same as CRAMMING, which see.

I have made him promise to give me four or five evenings of about half an hour's _cram_ each.--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 240.

It is not necessary to practise "_cram_" so outrageously as at some of the college examinations.--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. XXXV. p. 237.

3. A paper on which is written something necessary to be learned, previous to an examination.

"Take care what you light your cigars with," said Belton, "you'll be burning some of Tufton's _crams_: they are stuck all about the pictures."--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 223.

He puzzled himself with his _crams_ he had in his pocket, and copied what he did not understand.--_Ibid._, p. 279.

CRAMBAMBULI. A favorite drink among the students in the German universities, composed of burnt rum and sugar.

_Crambambuli_, das ist der Titel Des Tranks, der sich bei uns bewährt. _Drinking song_.

To the next! let's have the _crambambuli_ first, however.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XII. p. 117.

CRAM BOOK. A book in which are laid down such topics as constitute an examination, together with the requisite answers to the questions proposed on that occasion.

He in consequence engages a private tutor, and buys all the _cram books_ published for the occasion.--_Gradus ad Cantab._, p. 128.

CRAMINATION. A farcical word, signifying the same as _cramming_; the termination _tion_ being suffixed for the sake of mock dignity.

The ---- scholarship is awarded to the student in each Senior Class who attends most to _cramination_ on the College course.--_Burlesque Catalogue_, Yale Coll., 1852-53, p. 28.

CRAM MAN. One who is cramming for an examination.

He has read all the black-lettered divinity in the Bodleian, and says that none of the _cram men_ shall have a chance with him.--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 274.

CRAMMER. One who prepares another for an examination.

The qualifications of a _crammer_ are given in the following extract from the Collegian's Guide.

"The first point, therefore, in which a crammer differs from other tutors, is in the selection of subjects. While another tutor would teach every part of the books given up, he virtually reduces their quantity, dwelling chiefly on the 'likely parts.'

"The second point in which a crammer excels is in fixing the attention, and reducing subjects to the comprehension of ill-formed and undisciplined minds.

"The third qualification of a crammer is a happy manner and address, to encourage the desponding, to animate the idle, and to make the exertions of the pupil continually increase in such a ratio, that he shall be wound up to concert pitch by the day of entering the schools."--pp. 231, 232.

CRAMMING. A cant term, in the British universities, for the act of preparing a student to pass an examination, by going over the topics with him beforehand, and furnishing him with the requisite answers.--_Webster_.

The author of the Collegian's Guide, speaking of examinations, says: "First, we must observe that all examinations imply the existence of examiners, and examiners, like other mortal beings, lie open to the frauds of designing men, through the uniformity and sameness of their proceedings. This uniformity inventive men have analyzed and reduced to a system, founding thereon a certain science, and corresponding art, called _Cramming_."--p. 229.

The power of "_cramming_"--of filling the mind with knowledge hastily acquired for a particular occasion, and to be forgotten when that occasion is past--is a power not to be despised, and of much use in the world, especially at the bar.--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. XXXV. p. 237.

I shall never forget the torment I suffered in _cramming_ long lessons in Greek Grammar.--_Dickens's Household Words_, Vol. I. p. 192.

CRAM PAPER. A paper in which are inserted such questions as are generally asked at an examination. The manner in which these questions are obtained is explained in the following extract. "Every pupil, after his examination, comes to thank him as a matter of course; and as every man, you know, is loquacious enough on such occasions, Tufton gets out of him all the questions he was asked in the schools; and according to these questions, he has moulded his _cram papers_."--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 239.

We should be puzzled to find any questions more absurd and unreasonable than those in the _cram papers_ in the college examination.--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. XXXV. p. 237.

CRIB. Probably a translation; a pony.

Of the "Odes and Epodes of Horace, translated literally and rhythmically" by W. Sewell, of Oxford, the editor of the Literary World remarks: "Useful as a '_crib_,' it is also poetical."--Vol. VIII. p. 28.

CROW'S-FOOT. At Harvard College a badge formerly worn on the sleeve, resembling a crow's foot, to denote the class to which a student belongs. In the regulations passed April 29, 1822, for establishing the style of dress among the students at Harvard College, we find the following. A part of the dress shall be "three crow's-feet, made of black silk cord, on the lower part of the sleeve of a Senior, two on that of a Junior, and one on that of a Sophomore." The Freshmen were not allowed to wear the crow's-foot, and the custom is now discontinued, although an unsuccessful attempt was made to revive it a few years ago.

The Freshman scampers off at the first bell for the chapel, where, finding no brother student of a higher class to encourage his punctuality, he crawls back to watch the starting of some one blessed with a _crow's-foot_, to act as vanguard.--_Harv. Reg._, p. 377.

The corded _crow's-feet_, and the collar square, The change and chance of earthly lot must share. _Class Poem at Harv. Coll._, 1835, p. 18.

What if the creature should arise,-- For he was stout and tall,-- And swallow down a Sophomore, Coat, _crow's-foot_, cap, and all. _Holmes's Poems_, 1850, p. 109.

CUE, KUE, Q. A small portion of bread or beer; a term formerly current in both the English universities, the letter q being the mark in the buttery books to denote such a piece. Q would seem to stand for _quadrans_, a farthing; but Minsheu says it was only half that sum, and thus particularly explains it: "Because they set down in the battling or butterie bookes in Oxford and Cambridge, the letter q for half a farthing; and in Oxford when they make that cue or q a farthing, they say, _cap my q_, and make it a farthing, thus, [Symbol: small q with a line over]. But in Cambridge they use this letter, a little f; thus, f, or thus, s, for a farthing." He translates it in Latin _calculus panis_. Coles has, "A _cue_ [half a farthing] minutum."--_Nares's Glossary_.

"A cue of bread," says Halliwell, "is the fourth part of a half-penny crust. A cue of beer, one draught."

J. Woods, under-butler of Christ Church, Oxon, said he would never sitt capping of _cues_.--_Urry's MS._ add. to Ray.

You are still at Cambridge with size _kue_.--_Orig. of Dr._, III. p. 271.

He never drank above size _q_ of Helicon.--_Eachard, Contempt of Cl._, p. 26.

"_Cues_ and _cees_," says Nares, "are generally mentioned together, the _cee_ meaning a small measure of beer; but why, is not equally explained." From certain passages in which they are used interchangeably, the terms do not seem to have been well defined.

Hee [the college butler] domineers over freshmen, when they first come to the hatch, and puzzles them with strange language of _cues_ and _cees_, and some broken Latin, which he has learnt at his bin.--_Earle's Micro-cosmographie_, (1628,) Char. 17.

The word _cue_ was formerly used at Harvard College. Dr. Holyoke, who graduated in 1746, says, the "breakfast was two sizings of bread and a _cue_ of beer." Judge Wingate, who graduated thirteen years after, says: "We were allowed at dinner a _cue_ of beer, which was a half-pint."

It is amusing to see, term after term, and year after year, the formal votes, passed by this venerable body of seven ruling and teaching elders, regulating the price at which a _cue_ (a half-pint) of cider, or a _sizing_ (ration) of bread, or beef, might be sold to the student by the butler.--_Eliot's Sketch of Hist. Harv. Coll._, p. 70.

CUP. Among the English Cantabs, "an odious mixture ... compounded of spice and cider."--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. XXXV. p. 239.

CURL. In the University of Virginia, to make a perfect recitation; to overwhelm a Professor with student learning.

CUT. To be absent from; to neglect. Thus, a person is said to "_cut_ prayers," to "_cut_ lecture," &c. Also, to "_cut_ Greek" or "Latin"; i.e. to be absent from the Greek or Latin recitation. Another use of the word is, when one says, "I _cut_ Dr. B----, or Prof. C----, this morning," meaning that he was absent from their exercises.

Prepare to _cut_ recitations, _cut_ prayers, _cut_ lectures,--ay, to _cut_ even the President himself.--_Oration before H. L. of I. O. of O. F._ 1848.

Next morn he _cuts_ his maiden prayer, to his last night's text abiding.--_Poem before Y. H. of Harv. Coll._, 1849.

As soon as we were Seniors, We _cut_ the morning prayers, We showed the Freshmen to the door, And helped them down the stairs. _Presentation Day Songs_, June 15, 1854.

We speak not of individuals but of majorities, not of him whose ambition is to "_cut_" prayers and recitations so far as possible. --_Williams Quarterly_, Vol. II. p. 15.

The two rudimentary lectures which he was at first forced to attend, are now pressed less earnestly upon his notice. In fact, he can almost entirely "_cut_" them, if he likes, and does _cut_ them accordingly, as a waste of time,--_Household Words_, Vol. II. p. 160.

_To cut dead_, in student use, to neglect entirely.

I _cut_ the Algebra and Trigonometry papers _dead_ my first year, and came out seventh.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 51.

This word is much used in the University of Cambridge, England, as appears from the following extract from a letter in the Gentleman's Magazine, written with reference to some of the customs there observed:--"I remarked, also, that they frequently used the words _to cut_, and to sport, in senses to me totally unintelligible. A man had been cut in chapel, cut at afternoon lectures, cut in his tutor's rooms, cut at a concert, cut at a ball, &c. Soon, however, I was told of men, _vice versa_, who cut a figure, _cut_ chapel, _cut_ gates, _cut_ lectures, _cut_ hall, _cut_ examinations, cut particular connections; nay, more, I was informed of some who _cut_ their tutors!"--_Gent. Mag._, 1794, p. 1085.

The instances in which the verb _to cut_ is used in the above extract without Italics, are now very common both in England and America.

_To cut Gates_. To enter college after ten o'clock,--the hour of shutting them.--_Gradus ad Cantab._, p. 40.

CUT. An omission of a recitation. This phrase is frequently heard: "We had a cut to-day in Greek," i.e. no recitation in Greek. Again, "Prof. D---- gave us a cut," i.e. he had no recitation. A correspondent from Bowdoin College gives, in the following sentence, the manner in which this word is there used:--"_Cuts_. When a class for any reason become dissatisfied with one of the Faculty, they absent themselves from his recitation, as an expression of their feelings"

_D_.

D. C. L. An abbreviation for _Doctor Civilis Legis_, Doctor in Civil Law. At the University of Oxford, England, this degree is conferred four years after receiving the degree of B. C. L. The exercises are three lectures. In the University of Cambridge, England, a D. C. L. must be a B. C. L. of five years' standing, or an M. A. of seven years' standing, and must have kept two acts.

D. D. An abbreviation of _Divinitatis Doctor_, Doctor in Divinity. At the University of Cambridge, England, this degree is conferred on a B. D. of five, or an M. A. of twelve years' standing. The exercises are one act, two opponencies, a clerum, and an English sermon. At Oxford it is given to a B. D. of four, or a regent M. A. of eleven years' standing. The exercises are three lectures. In American colleges this degree is honorary, and is conferred _pro meritis_ on those who are distinguished as theologians.

DEAD. To be unable to recite; to be ignorant of the lesson; to declare one's self unprepared to recite.

Be ready, in fine, to cut, to drink, to smoke, to _dead_.--_Oration before H. L. of I. O. of O. F._, 1848.

I see our whole lodge desperately striving to _dead_, by doing that hardest of all work, nothing.--_Ibid._, 1849.

_Transitively_; to cause one to fail in reciting. Said of a teacher who puzzles a scholar with difficult questions, and thereby causes him to fail.

Have I been screwed, yea, _deaded_ morn and eve, Some dozen moons of this collegiate life, And not yet taught me to philosophize? _Harvardiana_, Vol. III. p. 255.

DEAD. A complete failure; a declaration that one is not prepared to recite.

One must stand up in the singleness of his ignorance to understand all the mysterious feelings connected with a _dead_.--_Harv. Reg._, p. 378.

And fearful of the morrow's screw or _dead_, Takes book and candle underneath his bed. _Class Poem, by B. D. Winslow, at Harv. Coll._, 1835, p. 10.

He, unmoved by Freshman's curses, Loves the _deads_ which Freshmen make.--_MS. Poem_.

But oh! what aching heads had they! What _deads_ they perpetrated the succeeding day.--_Ibid._

It was formerly customary in many colleges, and is now in a few, to talk about "taking a dead."

I have a most instinctive dread Of getting up to _take a dead_, Unworthy degradation!--_Harv. Reg._, p. 312.

DEAD-SET. The same as a DEAD, which see.

Now's the day and now's the hour; See approach Old Sikes's power; See the front of Logic lower; Screws, _dead-sets_, and fines.--_Rebelliad_, p. 52.

Grose has this word in his Slang Dictionary, and defines it "a concerted scheme to defraud a person by gaming." "This phrase," says Bartlett, in his Dictionary of Americanisms, "seems to be taken from the lifeless attitude of a pointer in marking his game."

"The lifeless attitude" seems to be the only point of resemblance between the above definitions, and the appearance of one who is _taking a dead set_. The word has of late years been displaced by the more general use of the word _dead_, with the same meaning.

The phrase _to be at a dead-set_, implying a fixed state or condition which precludes further progress, is in general use.

DEAN. An officer in each college of the universities in England, whose duties consist in the due preservation of the college discipline.

"Old Holingshed," says the Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, "in his Chronicles, describing Cambridge, speaks of 'certain censors, or _deanes_, appointed to looke to the behaviour and manner of the Students there, whom they punish _very severely_, if they make any default, according to the quantitye and qualitye of their trespasses.' When _flagellation_ was enforced at the universities, the Deans were the ministers of vengeance."

At the present time, a person applying for admission to a college in the University of Cambridge, Eng., is examined by the Dean and the Head Lecturer. "The Dean is the presiding officer in chapel, and the only one whose presence there is indispensable. He oversees the markers' lists, pulls up the absentees, and receives their excuses. This office is no sinecure in a large college." At Oxford "the discipline of a college is administered by its head, and by an officer usually called Dean, though, in some colleges, known by other names."--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, pp. 12, 16. _Literary World_, Vol. XII. p. 223.

In the older American colleges, whipping and cuffing were inflicted by a tutor, professor, or president; the latter, however, usually employed an agent for this purpose.

See under CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

2. In the United States, a registrar of the faculty in some colleges, and especially in medical institutions.--_Webster_.

A _dean_ may also be appointed by the Faculty of each Professional School, if deemed expedient by the Corporation.--_Laws Univ. at Cam., Mass._, 1848, p. 8.