definition parse
Parse is defined as to break something down into its parts, particularly for study of the individual parts. An example of to parse is to break down a sentence to explain each element to someone. parsed, pars′ing. to separate (a sentence) into its parts, explaining the grammatical form and function of each of the parts and their interrelation.
Put simply, parsing requires the student to break down a sentence into its component words, classifying each in terms of its part of speech, as well as its tense, number and function in the sentence. Let’s say a teacher assigns a student the sentence 'Virtue secures happiness'--a likely specimen in 1847.