syntax
UK: ˈsɪntæks | US: ˈsɪnˌtæks
n. the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language
n. the rules governing the structure of statements in a programming language
The word "syntax" originates from Greek syntaxis, combining syn- (together) and taxis (arrangement). It entered Late Latin as syntaxis and later Old French as sintaxe, eventually evolving into the modern English term. The morphemes reflect the core idea of "arranging elements together," whether in language or code.
The syntax of this sentence follows standard English rules.
Python’s syntax is known for its readability.
Linguists study syntax to understand sentence structure.
A syntax error halted the program’s execution.
Ancient Greek syntax differs significantly from modern languages.