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verse 1 (vûrs)
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n.
1.
a. A single metrical line in a poetic composition; one line of poetry.
b. A division of a metrical composition, such as a stanza of a poem or hymn.
c. A poem.
2. Metrical or rhymed composition as distinct from prose; poetry.
3.
a. The art or work of a poet.
b. A group of poems: read a book of satirical verse.
4. Metrical writing that lacks depth or artistic merit.
5. A particular type of metrical composition, such as blank verse or free verse.
6. One of the numbered subdivisions of a chapter in the Bible.
tr. & intr.v. versed, vers·ing, vers·es
To versify or engage in versifying.

[Middle English vers, from Old English fers and from Old French vers, both from Latin versus, from past participle of vertere, to turn; see wer-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
verse 2 (vûrs)
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tr.v. versed, vers·ing, vers·es
To familiarize by study or experience: He versed himself in philosophy.

[Latin versāre; see VERSATILE.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
verse 3 (vûrs)
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tr.v. versed, vers·ing, vers·es
Slang
To play against (an opponent) in a competition.

[Probably back-formation from VERSUS taken as verses in such phrases as Boston versus New York.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.