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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

4 entries under this word

Prose

Prōse, n.

noun

n. [Fr. prose, Pr., Sp., Pg., It., & Lat. prosa, equivalent to Lat. prorsa (sc. oratio), from prorsus, straight forward, straight on, for proversus, fr. pro, forward, and versus, p. p. of vertere, to turn.] 1. The common language of men; language not in verse, or unconfined to poetical measure, as opposed to verse or metrical composition. “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 is words in their best order; poetry, the best words in the best order. Coleridge.

  1. Hence, language or discourse which evinces little imagination or fire, or which is dull and commonplace.
  2. (Rom. Cath. Church.) A hymn introduced into the mass on certain festival days. See SEQUENCE.

Prōse, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. PROSED; p. pr. & vb. n. PROSING.]

  1. To write in prose.
  2. To make a tedious relation of; to relate in a dull or prosy manner.

Prōse, v. i.

verbintransitive

Sense 1. To write prose. 2. To talk in a dull, prosy, tedious manner.

Prōse, a.

adjective

a. 1. Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; as, prose composition. 2. Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; unromantic; as, the prose duties of life. Thackeray.