[verse] n [ME vers, fr. OF & OE; both fr. L versus, lit., turning, fr. vertere to turn--more at worth] (bef. 12c) 1: a line of metrical writing
2. a (1): metrical language (2): metrical writing distinguished from poetry esp. by its lower level of intensity (3): poetry
2. b: poem c: a body of metrical writing (as of a period or country)
3: stanza
4: one of the short divisions into which a chapter of the Bible is traditionally divided
[2]verse vb versed ; vers.ing vi (bef. 12c): to make verse: versify ~ vt 1: to tell or celebrate in verse
2: to turn into verse [3]verse vt versed ; vers.ing [back-formation fr. versed, fr. L versatus, pp. of versari to be active, be occupied (in), pass. of versare to turn] (1673): to familiarize by close association, study, or experience "well versed in the theater"