VERSE

verse. Verse, n. poetry, a paragraph; v.t. to tell in verse

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Verse (vẽrs), 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. 1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet (see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules.
☞ 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. 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. 3. A short division of any composition. Specifically: —
(a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses. ☞ 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. ☞ 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. 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.