E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| Quadrivium. | |
The four higher subjects of scholastic philosophy up to the twelfth century. It embraced music, arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy. The quadrivium was the fourfold way to knowledge; the trivium (q.v.) the threefold way to eloquence; both together comprehended the seven arts or sciences. The seven arts or sciences. The seven arts are enumerated in the following hexameter: | 1 |
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Lingua, Tropus, Ratio. Numerus, Tonus, Angulus, Astra. | |
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And in the two following: | 2 |
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Gram. loquitur, Dia. vera docet, Rhet. verba colorat. |
Mus. cadit, Ar. numerat, Geo. ponderat, Ast. colit astra. | |
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