Definitions for: Verse


[n] a piece of poetry
[n] a line of metrical text
[n] literature in metrical form



Webster (1913) Definition: Verse, n. [OE. vers, AS. fers, L. versus a line in
writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere, versum, to
turn, to turn round; akin to E. worth to become: cf. F. vers.
See Worth to become, and cf. Advertise, Averse,
Controversy, Convert, Divers, Invert, Obverse,
Prose, Suzerain, Vortex.]
1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet
(see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules.

Note: Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter, pentameter,
tetrameter, etc., according to the number of feet in
each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an
Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a stanza or
strophe.

2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed
in metrical form; versification; poetry.

Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips in
prose or numerous verse. --Milton.

Virtue was taught in verse. --Prior.

Verse embalms virtue. --Donne.

3. A short division of any composition. Specifically:
(a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses.

Note: Although this use of verse is common, it is
objectionable, because not always distinguishable from
the stricter use in the sense of a line.
(b) (Script.) One of the short divisions of the chapters
in the Old and New Testaments.

Note: The author of the division of the Old Testament into
verses is not ascertained. The New Testament was
divided into verses by Robert Stephens [or Estienne], a
French printer. This arrangement appeared for the first
time in an edition printed at Geneva, in 1551.
(c) (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a
single voice to each part.

4. A piece of poetry. ``This verse be thine.'' --Pope.

Blank verse, poetry in which the lines do not end in
rhymes.

Heroic verse. See under Heroic.


Verse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Versed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Versing.]
To tell in verse, or poetry. [Obs.]

Playing on pipes of corn and versing love. --Shak.


Verse, v. i.
To make verses; to versify. [Obs.]

It is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet. --Sir
P. Sidney.

Synonyms: poesy, poetry, rhyme, verse line

See Also: Adonic, Adonic line, clerihew, decasyllable, doggerel, doggerel verse, epos, genre, hexameter, iambic, jingle, limerick, line, literary genre, octameter, octosyllable, pentameter, poem, tetrameter, verse form, writing style

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