E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Per Saltum (Latin).
By a leap. A promotion or degree given without going over the ground usually prescribed. Thus, a clergyman on being made a bishop has the degree of D.D. given him per saltum—i.e. without taking the B.D. degree, and waiting the usual five years.
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“They dare not attempt to examine for the superior degree but elect per saltum.”—Nineteenth Century, January, 1893, p. 66.
