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.