PROSE

prose. prose, that writing which is not verse.

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prose. Prose, n. language not confined to fixed numbers

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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. 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. 2. Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
3. 3. (R. C. Ch.) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.