PRIVAT DOCENT. In German universities, a _private teacher_. "The so-called _Privat Docenten_," remarks Howitt, "are gentlemen who devote themselves to an academical career, who have taken the degree of Doctor, and through a public disputation have acquired the right to deliver lectures on subjects connected with their particular department of science. They receive no salary, but depend upon the remuneration derived from their classes."--_Student Life of Germany_, Am. ed., p. 29. PRIVATE. At Harvard College, one of the milder punishments is what is called _private admonition_, by which a deduction of thirty-two marks is made from the rank of the offender. So called in contradistinction to _public admonition_, when a deduction is made, and with it a letter is sent to the parent. Often abbreviated into _private_. "Reckon on the fingers of your mind the reprimands, deductions, parietals, and _privates_ in store for you."--_Oration before H.L. of I.O. of O.F._, 1848. What are parietals, parts, _privates_ now, To the still calmness of that placid brow? _Class Poem, Harv. Coll._, 1849. PRIVATISSIMUM, _pl._ PRIVATISSIMI. Literally, _most private_. In the German universities, an especially private lecture. To these _Privatissimi_, as they are called, or especially private lectures, being once agreed upon, no other auditors can be admitted.--_Howitt's Student Life of Germany_, Am. ed., p. 35. Then my _Privatissimum_--(I've been thinking on it For a long time--and in fact begun it)-- Will cost me 20 Rix-dollars more, Please send with the ducats I mentioned before. _The Jobsiad_, in _Lit. World_, Vol. IX. p. 281. The use of a _Privatissimum_ I can't conjecture, When one is already ten hours at lecture. _Ibid._, Vol. IX. p. 448. PRIZEMAN. In universities and colleges, one who takes a prize. The Wrangler's glory in his well-earned fame, The _prizeman's_ triumph, and the plucked man's shame. _The College_, in _Blackwood's Mag._, _May_, 1849. PROBATION. In colleges and universities, the examination of a student as to his qualifications for a degree. 2. The time which a student passes in college from the period of entering until he is matriculated and received as a member in full standing. In American colleges, this is usually six months, but can be prolonged at discretion.--_Coll. Laws_. PROCEED. To take a degree. Mr. Halliwell, in his Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, says, "This term is still used at the English universities." It is sometimes used in American colleges. In 1605 he _proceeded_ Master of Arts, and became celebrated as a wit and a poet.--_Poems of Bishop Corbet_, p. ix. They that expect to _proceed_ Bachelors that year, to be examined of their sufficiency,... and such that expect to _proceed_ Masters of Arts, to exhibit their synopsis of acts. They, that are approved sufficient for their degrees, shall _proceed_.--_Quincy's Hist. Harv. Univ._, Vol. I. p. 518.