The word was formerly used in Harvard College.  In the “Orders of the Overseers,” May 6th, 1650, is the following:  “Such that expect to proceed Masters of Arts [are ordered] to exhibit their synopsis of acts required by the laws of the College.”—­Quincy’s Hist.  Harv.  Univ., Vol.  I. p. 518.

Nine Bachelors commenced at Cambridge; they were young men of good hope, and performed their acts so as to give good proof of their proficiency in the tongues and arts.—­Winthrop’s Journal, by Mr. Savage, Vol.  I. p. 87.

The students of the first classis that have beene these foure years trained up in University learning (for their ripening in the knowledge of the tongues, and arts) and are approved for their manners, as they have kept their publick Acts in former yeares, ourselves being present at them; so have they lately kept two solemn Acts for their Commencement.—­New England’s First Fruits, in Mass.  Hist.  Coll., Vol.  I. p. 245.

But in the succeeding acts ... the Latin syllogism seemed to give the most content.—­Harvard Register, 1827-28, p. 305.

2.  The close of the session at Oxford, when Masters and Doctors complete their degrees, whence the Act Term, or that term in which the act falls.  It is always held with great solemnity.  At Cambridge, and in American colleges, it is called Commencement.  In this sense Mather uses it.

They that were to proceed Bachelors, held their Act publickly in Cambridge.—­Mather’s Magnalia, B. 4, pp. 127, 128.

At some times in the universities of England they have no public acts, but give degrees privately and silently.—­Letter of Increase Mather, in App. to Pres.  Woolsey’s Hist.  Disc., p. 87.

AD EUNDEM GRADUM.  Latin, to the same degree.  In American colleges, a Bachelor or Master of one institution was formerly allowed to take the same degree at another, on payment of a certain fee.  By this he was admitted to all the privileges of a graduate of his adopted Alma Mater. Ad eundem gradum, to the same degree, were the important words in the formula of admission.  A similar custom prevails at present in the English universities.

Persons who have received a degree in any other college or university may, upon proper application, be admitted ad eundem, upon payment of the customary fees to the President.—­Laws Union Coll., 1807, p. 47.

Persons who have received a degree in any other university or college may, upon proper application, be admitted ad eundem, upon paying five dollars to the Steward for the President.—­Laws of the Univ. in Cam., Mass., 1828.

Persons who have received a degree at any other college may, upon proper application, be admitted ad eundem, upon payment of the customary fee to the President.—­Laws Mid.  Coll., 1839, p. 24.