[Origin: bef. 900; ME vers(e), fers line of poetry, section of a psalm, OE fers < L versus a row, line (of poetry), lit., a turning, equiv. to vert(ere) to turn (ptp. versus) + -tus suffix of v. action, with dt > s; akin to -ward, worth2]
—Synonyms 1.Verse,stanza,strophe,stave are terms for a metrical grouping in poetic composition. Verse is often mistakenly used for stanza, but is properly only a single metrical line. A stanza is a succession of lines (verses) commonly bound together by a rhyme scheme, and usually forming one of a series of similar groups that constitute a poem: The four-line stanza is the one most frequently used in English. Strophe (originally the section of a Greek choral ode sung while the chorus was moving from right to left) is in English poetry practically equivalent to “section”; a strophe may be unrhymed or without strict form, but may be a stanza: Strophes are divisions of odes. Stave is a word (now seldom used) that means a stanza set to music or intended to be sung: a stave of a hymn; a stave of a drinking song. 4, 5, 6.See poetry.
A single metrical line in a poetic composition; one line of poetry.
A division of a metrical composition, such as a stanza of a poem or hymn.
A poem.
The art or work of a poet.
A group of poems: read a book of satirical verse.
Metrical or rhymed composition as distinct from prose; poetry.
The art or work of a poet.
A group of poems: read a book of satirical verse.
Metrical writing that lacks depth or artistic merit.
A particular type of metrical composition, such as blank verse or free verse.
One of the numbered subdivisions of a chapter in the Bible.
tr. & intr.v.
versed, vers·ing, vers·es
To versify or engage in versifying.
[Middle English vers, from Old English fers and from Old French vers, both from Latin versus, from past participle of vertere, to turn; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.]
c.1050, "line or section of a psalm or canticle," later "line of poetry" (c.1369), from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. vers, from L. versus "verse, line of writing," from PIE base *wer- "to turn, bend" (see versus). The metaphor is of plowing, of "turning" from one line to another (vertere = "to turn") as a plowman does. O.E. had fers, an early W.Gmc. borrowing directly from L. Meaning "metrical composition" is recorded from c.1300; sense of "part of a modern pop song" (as distinguished from the chorus) is attested from 1927. The English N.T. first divided fully into verses in the Geneva version (1551).
A kind of language made intentionally different from ordinary speech or prose. It usually employs devices such as meter and rhyme, though not always. Free verse, for example, has neither meter nor rhyme. Verse is usually considered a broader category than poetry, with the latter being reserved to mean verse that is serious and genuinely artistic.
A*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Averted; p. pr. & vb. n. Averting.] [L. avertere; a, ab + vertere to turn: cf. OF. avertir. See Verse, n.] To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object; to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as, how can the danger be averted? "To avert his ire." --Milton. When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth avert them from the church. --Bacon. Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. --Prior.
Blank\, a. [OE. blank, blonc, blaunc, blaunche, fr. F. blanc, fem. blanche, fr. OHG. blanch shining, bright, white, G. blank; akin to E. blink, cf. also AS. blanc white. ?98. See Blink, and cf. 1st Blanch.]1. Of a white or pale color; without color. To the blank moon Her office they prescribed. --Milton. 2. Free from writing, printing, or marks; having an empty space to be filled in with some special writing; -- said of checks, official documents, etc.; as, blank paper; a blank check; a blank ballot. 3. Utterly confounded or discomfited. Adam . . . astonied stood, and blank. --Milton. 4. Empty; void; without result; fruitless; as, a blank space; a blank day. 5. Lacking characteristics which give variety; as, a blank desert; a blank wall; destitute of interests, affections, hopes, etc.; as, to live a blank existence; destitute of sensations; as, blank unconsciousness. 6. Lacking animation and intelligence, or their associated characteristics, as expression of face, look, etc.; expressionless; vacant. "Blank and horror-stricken faces." --C. Kingsley. The blank . . . glance of a half returned consciousness. --G. Eliot. 7. Absolute; downright; unmixed; as, blank terror. Blank bar (Law), a plea put in to oblige the plaintiff in an action of trespass to assign the certain place where the trespass was committed; -- called also common bar. Blank cartridge, a cartridge containing no ball. Blank deed. See Deed. Blank door, or Blank window (Arch.), a depression in a wall of the size of a door or window, either for symmetrical effect, or for the more convenient insertion of a door or window at a future time, should it be needed. Blank indorsement (Law), an indorsement which omits the name of the person in whose favor it is made; it is usually made by simply writing the name of the indorser on the back of the bill. Blank line (Print.), a vacant space of the breadth of a line, on a printed page; a line of quadrats. Blank tire (Mech.), a tire without a flange. Blank tooling. See Blind tooling, under Blind. Blank verse. See under Verse. Blank wall, a wall in which there is no opening; a dead wall.
Con"tro*ver`sy\, n.; pl. Controversies. [L. controversia, fr. controversus turned against, disputed; contro- = contra + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.]1. Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions. This left no room for controversy about the title. --Locke. A dispute is commonly oral, and a controversy in writing. --Johnson. 2. Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference. The Lord hath a controversy with the nations. --Jer. xxv. 31. 3. A suit in law or equity; a question of right. [Obs.] When any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment. --2 Sam. xv. 2. Syn: Dispute; debate; disputation; disagreement; altercation; contention; wrangle; strife; quarrel.
Con*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Converted; p. pr. & vb. n. Converting.] [L. convertere, -versum; con- + vertere to turn: cf. F. convertir. See Verse.]1. To cause to turn; to turn. [Obs.] O, which way shall I first convert myself? --B. Jonson. 2. To change or turn from one state or condition to another; to alter in form, substance, or quality; to transform; to transmute; as, to convert water into ice. If the whole atmosphere were converted into water. --T. Burnet. That still lessens The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy. --Milton. 3. To change or turn from one belief or course to another, as from one religion to another or from one party or sect to another. No attempt was made to convert the Moslems. --Prescott. 4. To produce the spiritual change called conversion in (any one); to turn from a bad life to a good one; to change the heart and moral character of (any one) from the controlling power of sin to that of holiness. He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death. --Lames v. 20. 5. To apply to any use by a diversion from the proper or intended use; to appropriate dishonestly or illegally. When a bystander took a coin to get it changed, and converted it, [it was] held no larceny. --Cooley. 6. To exchange for some specified equivalent; as, to convert goods into money. 7. (Logic) To change (one proposition) into another, so that what was the subject of the first becomes the predicate of the second. 8. To turn into another language; to translate. [Obs.] Which story . . . Catullus more elegantly converted. --B. Jonson. Converted guns, cast-iron guns lined with wrought-iron or steel tubes. --Farrow. Converting furnace (Steel Manuf.), a furnace in which wrought iron is converted into steel by cementation. Syn: To change; turn; transmute; appropriate.
Di*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Diverting.] [F. divertir, fr. L. divertere, diversum, to go different ways, turn aside; di- = dis- + vertere to turn. See Verse, and cf. Divorce.]1. To turn aside; to turn off from any course or intended application; to deflect; as, to divert a river from its channel; to divert commerce from its usual course. That crude apple that diverted Eve. --Milton. 2. To turn away from any occupation, business, or study; to cause to have lively and agreeable sensations; to amuse; to entertain; as, children are diverted with sports; men are diverted with works of wit and humor. We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy. --C. J. Smith. Syn: To please; gratify; amuse; entertain; exhilarate; delight; recreate. See Amuse.
In*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Inverting.] [L. invertere, inversum; pref. in- in + vertere to turn. See Verse.]1. To turn over; to put upside down; to upset; to place in a contrary order or direction; to reverse; as, to invert a cup, the order of words, rules of justice, etc. That doth invert the attest of eyes and ears, As if these organs had deceptious functions. --Shak. Such reasoning falls like an inverted cone, Wanting its proper base to stand upon. --Cowper. 2. (Mus.) To change the position of; -- said of tones which form a chord, or parts which compose harmony. 3. To divert; to convert to a wrong use. [Obs.] --Knolles. 4. (Chem.) To convert; to reverse; to decompose by, or subject to, inversion. See Inversion, n., 10.
Mal`ver*sa"tion\, n. [F., fr. malverser to be corrupt in office, fr. L. male ill + versari to move about, to occupy one's self, vertere to turn. See Malice, and Verse.] Evil conduct; fraudulent practices; misbehavior, corruption, or extortion in office.
Ob*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Obverting.] [L. obvertere; ob (see Ob-) + vertere to turn. See Verse.] To turn toward. If its base be obverted towards us. --I. Watts.
Per*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Perverting.] [F. pervertir, L. pervertere, perversum; per + vertere to turn. See Per-, and Verse.]1. To turnanother way; to divert. [Obs.] Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath. --Shak. 2. To turn from truth, rectitude, or propriety; to divert from a right use, end, or way; to lead astray; to corrupt; also, to misapply; to misinterpret designedly; as, to pervert one's words. --Dryden. He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve. --Milton.
Prose\, n. [F. prose, L. prosa, fr. prorsus, prosus, straight forward, straight on, for proversus; pro forward + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.]1. The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing; language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; -- contradistinguished from verse, or metrical composition. I speak in prose, and let him rymes make. --Chaucer. Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. --Milton. I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry, that is; prose -- words in their best order; poetry -- the best order. --Coleridge. 2. Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse. 3. (R. C. Ch.) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.
Re*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Reverting.] [L. revertere, reversum; pref. re- re- + vertere to turn: cf. OF. revertir. See Verse, and cf. Reverse.]1. To turn back, or to the contrary; to reverse. Till happy chance revert the cruel scence. --Prior. The tumbling stream . . . Reverted, plays in undulating flow. --Thomson. 2. To throw back; to reflect; to reverberate. 3. (Chem.) To change back. See Revert, v. i. To revert a series (Alg.), to treat a series, as y = a + bx + cx^2 + etc., where one variable y is expressed in powers of a second variable x, so as to find therefrom the second variable x, expressed in a series arranged in powers of y.
Sub*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Subverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Subverting.] [L. subvertere, subversum; sub under + vertere to turn: cf. F. subvertir. See Verse.]1. To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly. These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength, With which he yoketh your rebellious necks, Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns. --Shak. This would subvert the principles of all knowledge. --Locke. 2. To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound. --2 Tim. iii. 14. Syn: To overturn; overthrow; destroy; invert; reverse; extinguish.
Su"ze*rain\, n. [F., formed fr. sus above, L. susum, sursum (fr. sub under + versum, p. p. of vertere to turn), after the analogy of souverain, E. sovereign. See Sub-, and Verse.] A superior lord, to whom fealty is due; a feudal lord; a lord paramount.
Ter"gi*ver*sate\, v. i. [L. tergiversatus, p. p. of tergiversari to turn one's back, to shift; tergum back + versare, freq. of vertere to turn. See Verse.] To shift; to practice evasion; to use subterfuges; to shuffle. [R.] --Bailey.
Trans*verse"\, a. [L. transversus, p. p. of transvertere to turn on direct across; trans across + vertere to turn: cf. F. transverse. See Verse, and cf. Traverse.] Lying or being across, or in a crosswise direction; athwart; -- often opposed to longitudinal. Transverse axis (of an ellipse or hyperbola) (Geom.), that axis which passes through the foci. Transverse partition (Bot.), a partition, as of a pericarp, at right angles with the valves, as in the siliques of mustard.
U"ni*verse\, n. [L. universum, from universus universal; unus one + vertere, versum, to turn, that is, turned into one, combined into one whole; cf. F. univers. See One, and Verse.] All created things viewed as constituting one system or whole; the whole body of things, or of phenomena; the ? ? of the Greeks, the mundus of the Latins; the world; creation. How may I Adore thee, Author of this universe And all this good to man! --Milton.
Ver"sa*tile\, a. [L. versatilis, fr. versare to turn around, v. freq. of vertere: cf. F. versatile. See Verse.]1. Capable of being turned round. --Harte. 2. Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable; unsteady; inconstant; as versatile disposition. 3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided; as, versatile genius; a versatile politician. Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . . was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu. --Macaulay. 4. (Nat. Hist.) Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird. -- Ver"sa*tile*ly, adv. -- -- Ver"sa*tile*ness, n.
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.
Ver"si*cle\, n. [L. versiculus, dim. of versus. See Verse.] A little verse; especially, a short verse or text said or sung in public worship by the priest or minister, and followed by a response from the people. The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested into versicles. --Strype.
Ver"si*fy\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Versified; p. pr. & vb. n. Versifying.] [OE. versifien, F. versifier, L. versificare; versus a verse + -ficare to make. See Verse, and -fy.] To make verses. I'll versify in spite, and do my best. --Dryden.
Ver"sion\, n. [F., from L. vertere, versum, to turn, to change, to translate. See Verse.]1. A change of form, direction, or the like; transformation; conversion; turning. The version of air into water. --Bacon. 2. (Med.) A condition of the uterus in which its axis is deflected from its normal position without being bent upon itself. See Anteversion, and Retroversion. 3. The act of translating, or rendering, from one language into another language. 4. A translation; that which is rendered from another language; as, the Common, or Authorized, Version of the Scriptures (see under Authorized); the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament. 5. An account or description from a particular point of view, especially as contrasted with another account; as, he gave another version of the affair.
Ver"sus\, prep. [L., toward, turned in the direction of, from vertere, versum, to turn. See Verse.] Against; as, John Doe versus Richard Roe; -- chiefly used in legal language, and abbreviated to v. or vs.
Ver"te*bra\, n.; pl. Vertebr[ae]. [L. vertebra, fr. vertere to turn, change. See Verse.]1. (Anat.) One of the serial segments of the spinal column. Note: In many fishes the vertebr[ae] are simple cartilaginous disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates they are composed of many parts, and the vertebr[ae] in different portions of the same column vary very greatly. A well-developed vertebra usually consists of a more or less cylindrical and solid body, or centrum, which is surmounted dorsally by an arch, leaving an opening which forms a part of the canal containing the spinal cord. From this dorsal, or neural, arch spring various processes, or apophyses, which have received special names: a dorsal, or neural, spine, spinous process, or neurapophysis, on the middle of the arch; two anterior and two posterior articular processes, or zygapophyses; and one or two transverse processes on each side. In those vertebr[ae] which bear well-developed ribs, a tubercle near the end of the rib articulates at a tubercular facet on the transverse process (diapophysis), while the end, or head, of the rib articulates at a more ventral capitular facet which is sometimes developed into a second, or ventral, transverse process (parapophysis). In vertebrates with well-developed hind limbs, the spinal column is divided into five regions in each of which the vertebr[ae] are specially designated: those vertebr[ae] in front of, or anterior to, the first vertebra which bears ribs connected with the sternum are cervical; all those which bear ribs and are back of the cervicals are dorsal; the one or more directly supporting the pelvis are sacral and form the sacrum; those between the sacral and dorsal are lumbar; and all those back of the sacral are caudal, or coccygeal. In man there are seven cervical vertebr[ae], twelve dorsal, five lumbar, five sacral, and usually four, but sometimes five and rarely three, coccygeal. 2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the central ossicles in each joint of the arms of an ophiuran.
Ver"tex\, n.; pl. Vertexes, L. Vertices. [L. vertex, -icis, a whirl, top of the head, top, summit, from vertere to turn. See Verse, and cf. Vortex.] A turning point; the principal or highest point; top; summit; crown; apex. Specifically: (a) (Anat.) The top, or crown, of the head. (b) (Anat.) The zenith, or the point of the heavens directly overhead. (c) (Math.) The point in any figure opposite to, and farthest from, the base; the terminating point of some particular line or lines in a figure or a curve; the top, or the point opposite the base. Note: The principal vertex of a conic section is, in the parabola, the vertex of the axis of the curve: in the ellipse, either extremity of either axis, but usually the left-hand vertex of the transverse axis; in the hyperbola, either vertex, but usually the right-hand vertex of the transverse axis. Vertex of a curve (Math.), the point in which the axis of the curve intersects it. Vertex of an angle (Math.), the point in which the sides of the angle meet. Vertex of a solid, or of a surface of revolution (Math.), the point in which the axis pierces the surface.
Ver"ti*go\ (?; 277), n.; pl. E. Vertigoes, L. Vertigines. [L., fr. vertere to turn. See Verse.]1. (Med.) Dizziness or swimming of the head; an affection of the head in which objects, though stationary, appear to move in various directions, and the person affected finds it difficult to maintain an erect posture; giddiness. --Quian. 2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small land snails belonging to the genus Vertigo, having an elongated or conical spiral shell and usually teeth in the aperture.
-ward\ (w[~e]rd), -wards \-wards\ (w[~e]rdz). [AS. -weard, -weardes; akin to OS. & OFries. -ward. OHG. -wert, G. -w["a]rts, Icel. -ver[eth]r, Goth. -va['i]r[thorn]s, L. vertere to turn, versus toward, and E. worth to become. [root]143. See Worth. v. i., and cf. Verse. Adverbs ending in -wards (AS. -weardes) and some other adverbs, such as besides, betimes, since (OE. sithens). etc., were originally genitive forms used adverbially.] Suffixes denoting course or direction to; motion or tendency toward; as in backward, or backwards; toward, or towards, etc.
Worth\, v. i. [OE. worthen, wur[thorn]en, to become, AS. weor[eth]an; akin to OS. wer[eth]an, D. worden, G. werden, OHG. werdan, Icel. ver[eth]a, Sw. varda, Goth. wa['i]rpan, L. vertere to turn, Skr. v[.r]t, v. i., to turn, to roll, to become. [root]143. Cf. Verse, -ward, Weird.] To be; to become; to betide; -- now used only in the phrases, woe worth the day, woe worth the man, etc., in which the verb is in the imperative, and the nouns day, man, etc., are in the dative. Woe be to the day, woe be to the man, etc., are equivalent phrases. I counsel . . . to let the cat worthe. --Piers Plowman. He worth upon [got upon] his steed gray. --Chaucer.
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