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verse

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Verse \Verse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Versed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Versing}.]
   To tell in verse, or poetry. [Obs.]

         Playing on pipes of corn and versing love. --Shak.

Verse \Verse\, v. i.
   To make verses; to versify. [Obs.]

         It is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet. --Sir
                                                  P. Sidney.

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}.

Source : WordNet®

verse
     n 1: literature in metrical form [syn: {poetry}, {poesy}]
     2: a piece of poetry [syn: {rhyme}]
     3: a line of metrical text [syn: {verse line}]
     v 1: compose verses or put into verse; "He versified the ancient
          saga" [syn: {versify}, {poetize}, {poetise}]
     2: familiarize through thorough study or experience; "She
        versed herself in Roman archeology"
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