- Prose
- Prose 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. The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing;
language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; --
contradistinguished from verse, or metrical composition.
[1913 Webster]
I speak in prose, and let him rymes make. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
2. Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse. [1913 Webster]
3. (R. C. Ch.) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See {Sequence}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.