Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Verse \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}.
Heroic \He*ro"ic\, a. [F. h['e]ro["i]que, L. hero["i]cus, Gr.
?.]
1. Of or pertaining to, or like, a hero; of the nature of
heroes; distinguished by the existence of heroes; as, the
heroic age; an heroic people; heroic valor.
2. Worthy of a hero; bold; daring; brave; illustrious; as,
heroic action; heroic enterprises.
3. (Sculpture & Painting) Larger than life size, but smaller
than colossal; -- said of the representation of a human
figure.
{Heroic Age}, the age when the heroes, or those called the
children of the gods, are supposed to have lived.
{Heroic poetry}, that which celebrates the deeds of a hero;
epic poetry.
{Heroic} {treatment or remedies} (Med.), treatment or
remedies of a severe character, suited to a desperate
case.
{Heroic verse} (Pros.), the verse of heroic or epic poetry,
being in English, German, and Italian the iambic of ten
syllables; in French the iambic of twelve syllables; and
in classic poetry the hexameter.
Syn: Brave; intrepid; courageous; daring; valiant; bold;
gallant; fearless; enterprising; noble; magnanimous;
illustrious.
Source : WordNet®
heroic verse
n : a verse form suited to the treatment of heroic or elevated
themes; dactylic hexameter or iambic pentameter [syn: {heroic
meter}, {heroic}]