I. ˈvərs, ˈvə̄s, ˈvəis noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English vers, fers, from Old French vers & Old English fers, both from Latin versus row, line, verse; akin to Latin vertere to turn — more at worth
1. : a line of metrical writing
in English the caesura … can occur after any syllable, even the first or the ninth of a ten-syllable verse — Malcolm Cowley
2. : versicle 1
3.
a.
(1) : metrical language : speech or writing distinguished from ordinary language by its distinctive patterning of sounds and especially by its more pronounced or elaborate rhythm
(2) : metrical writing that is distinguished from poetry especially by its lower level of intensity and its lack of essential conviction and commitment
many writers of verse who have not aimed at writing poetry — T.S.Eliot
(3) : poetry 2
verse that gives immortal youth to mortal maids — W.S.Landor
b. : a particular example of metrical writing : poem
using some of her verses as exercises in one of his textbooks — Antony Alpers
c. : a body of metrical writing (as of a single author, a period, or a country)
Shakespearean verse
Renaissance verse
English verse
4.
a.
(1) : a unit of metrical writing larger than a single line : stanza
(2) : the portion of a song preceding the refrain or chorus and excluding any introduction
sing the first and last verses only
b. : a portion of an anthem or musical service to be performed by a single voice to each part
5. : one of the short divisions into which a chapter of the Bible is traditionally divided
the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis
II. adjective
: of, relating to, or written in verse
verse technique
a verse drama
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English versen, partly from vers, fers verse & partly from Old English fersian to versify, from fers verse
intransitive verb
: to make verse : write poetry : versify
transitive verb
1. : to tell or celebrate in verse
2. : to turn into verse
IV. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: back-formation from versed
: to familiarize by close association, study, or experience
versed himself in the theater