prose definition | Dictionary.com

prose

[prohz]

noun, adjective, verb, prosed, pros⋅ing.

–noun

1.	the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse.

2.	matter-of-fact, commonplace, or dull expression, quality, discourse, etc.

3.	Liturgy. a hymn sung after the gradual, originating from a practice of setting words to the jubilatio of the alleluia.

–adjective

4.	of, in, or pertaining to prose.

5.	commonplace; dull; prosaic.

–verb (used with object)

6.	to turn into or express in prose.

–verb (used without object)

7.	to write or talk in a dull, matter-of-fact manner.

Origin:
1300–50; ME < MF < L prōsa (ōrātiō) lit., straightforward (speech), fem. of prōsus, for prōrsus, contr. of prōversus, ptp. of prōvertere to turn forward, equiv. to prō- pro- ¹ + vertere to turn

Related forms:

proselike, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To prose

prose (prōz)

Ordinary speech or writing, without metrical structure.
Commonplace expression or quality.
Roman Catholic Church A hymn of irregular meter sung before the Gospel.

intr.v. prosed, pros·ing, pros·es

To write prose.
To speak or write in a dull, tiresome style.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin prōsa (ōrātiō), straightforward (discourse), feminine of prōsus, alteration of prōrsus, from prōversus, past participle of prōvertere, to turn forward : prō-, forward; see pro-¹ + vertere, to turn; see wer-² in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Prose

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.

Prose

Prose\, a. 1. Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.

2. Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.

Prose

Prose\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Prosing.]

1. To write in prose.

2. To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.

Prose

Prose\, v. i. 1. To write prose.

Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter. --Milton.

Language Translation for : prose

Spanish: prosa,

German: die Prosa,

Japanese: 散文

More Translations »

prose

c.1330, from O.Fr. prose (13c.), from L. prosa oratio "straightforward or direct speech" (without the ornaments of verse), from prosa, fem. of prosus, earlier prorsus "straightforward, direct," from Old L. provorsus "(moving) straight ahead," from pro- "forward" + vorsus "turned," pp. of vertere "to turn" (see verse).

PROSE
1. PROblem Solution Engineering. Numerical problems including differentiation and integration. "Computing in Calculus", J. Thames, Research/Development 26(5) (May 1975).
2. A constraints-and-sequencing system similar to Kaleidoscope. "Reflexive Constraints for Dynamic Knowledge Bases", P. Berlandier et al in Proc First Intl CS Conf '88: AI: Theory and Appls, Dec 1988.

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