E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Arts.
Degrees in Arts. In the mediæval ages the full course consisted of the three subjects which constituted the Triv’ium, and the four subjects which constituted the Quadriv’ium:—
1
The Triv’ium was grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
2
The Quadriv’ium was music, arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy.
3
The Master of Arts was the person qualified to teach or be the master of students in arts; as the Doctor was the person qualified to teach theology, law, or medicine.
