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. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed in metrical form; versification; poetry. [ 1913 Webster ] Such prompt eloquence
Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] Virtue was taught in verse. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ] Verse embalms virtue. Donne. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A short division of any composition. Specifically: -- [ 1913 Webster ] (a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ Although this use of verse is common, it is objectionable, because not always distinguishable from the stricter use in the sense of a line. [ 1913 Webster ] (b) (Script.) One of the short divisions of the chapters in the Old and New Testaments. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] (c) (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. A piece of poetry. “This verse be thine.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
Blank verse, poetry in which the lines do not end in rhymes. --
Heroic verse. See under Heroic. [ 1913 Webster ]
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