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Webster 1913 Edition

Prose

Prose

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

Prose

,
Adj.
1.
Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse;
as,
prose
composition
.
2.
Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic;
as, the
prose
duties of life
.

Prose

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Prosed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Prosing
.]
1.
To write in prose.
2.
To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.

Prose

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To write prose.
Prosing
or versing, but chiefly this latter.
Milton.

Webster 1828 Edition

Prose

PROSE

,
Noun.
s as z. [L. prosa.]
1.
The natural language of man; language loose and unconfined to poetical measure, as opposed to verse or metrical composition.
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme.
2.
A prayer used in the Romish church on particular days.

PROSE

,
Verb.
T.
To write in prose.
1.
To make a tedious relation.

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