Dictionary

1verse

noun \ˈvərs\

: writing in which words are arranged in a rhythmic pattern

: a part of a poem or song

: one of the parts of a chapter of the Bible

Full Definition of VERSE

1
:  a line of metrical writing
2
a (1) :  metrical language (2) :  metrical writing distinguished from poetry especially 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
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Origin of VERSE

Middle English vers, fers, from Anglo-French vers & Old English fers, both from Latin versus, literally, turning, from vertere to turn — more at worth
First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

Rhymes with VERSE

2verse

verb
versedvers·ing

Definition of VERSE

intransitive verb
:  to make verse :  versify
transitive verb
1
:  to tell or celebrate in verse
2
:  to turn into verse

First Known Use of VERSE

before 12th century

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

3verse

verb
versedvers·ing

Definition of VERSE

transitive verb
:  to familiarize by close association, study, or experience <well versed in the theater>

Origin of VERSE

back-formation from versed, from Latin versatus, past participle of versari to be active, be occupied (in), passive of versare to turn
First Known Use: 1599
VERSES Defined for Kids

verse

noun \ˈvərs\

Definition of VERSE for Kids

1
:  a portion of a poem or song :  stanza
2
:  writing in which words are arranged in a rhythmic pattern
3
:  one of the short parts of a chapter in the Bible
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