Vĕrse1, n.
(14), n. [Lat. versus, a furrow, a row, a line in writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere, versum, to turn, to turn round; It., Sp., & Pg. verso, Pr. & Fr. vers.]
Sense 1. A line consisting of a certain number of long and short syllables, disposed according to metrical rules.
☞ Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter, pentameter, and tetrameter, &c., according to the number of feet in each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an Alexandrian or Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a stanza or strophe.
Sense 2. Metrical arrangement and language; poetry.
Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse. Milton.
Virtue was taught in verse. Prior.
Verse embalms virtue. Donne.
Sense 3. A short division of poetical composition; a stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses. [Common, but improper.]
Sense 4. A short division of any composition, especially 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.
Sense 5. A piece of poetry.
This verse, my friend, be thine. Pope.
Sense 6. (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part.
Blank verse, poetry in which the lines do not end in rhymes.—Heroic verse (Pros.), a kind of verse usually consisting of ten syllables, or, in English, of five accented syllables, constituting five feet.