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Definition of prose - 4 dictionary results

prose

  [prohz] noun, adjective, verb, prosed, pros⋅ing.
Use prose in a Sentence
–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.
Cite This Source Link To prose
prose   (prōz)   
n.  

  1. Ordinary speech or writing, without metrical structure.

  2. Commonplace expression or quality.

  3. Roman Catholic Church A hymn of irregular meter sung before the Gospel.

intr.v.   prosed, pros·ing, pros·es

  1. To write prose.

  2. 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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Word Origin & History

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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

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.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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