Verse \Verse\ (v[~e]rs), n. [OE. vers, AS. fers, L. versus a
line in writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere,
versum, to turn, to turn round; akin to E. worth to become:
cf. F. vers. See Worth to become, and cf. Advertise,
Averse, Controversy, Convert, Divers, Invert,
Obverse, Prose, Suzerain, Vortex.]
1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet
(see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules.
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Note: Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter,
pentameter, tetrameter, etc., according to the
number of feet in each. A verse of twelve syllables is
called an Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a
stanza or strophe.
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2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed
in metrical form; versification; poetry.
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Such prompt eloquence
Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse.
--Milton.
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Virtue was taught in verse. --Prior.
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Verse embalms virtue. --Donne.
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3. A short division of any composition. Specifically:
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(a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses.
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Note: Although this use of verse is common, it is
objectionable, because not always distinguishable from
the stricter use in the sense of a line.
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(b) (Script.) One of the short divisions of the chapters
in the Old and New Testaments.
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Note: The author of the division of the Old Testament into
verses is not ascertained. The New Testament was
divided into verses by Robert Stephens [or Estienne], a
French printer. This arrangement appeared for the first
time in an edition printed at Geneva, in 1551.
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(c) (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a
single voice to each part.
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4. A piece of poetry. "This verse be thine." --Pope.
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Blank verse, poetry in which the lines do not end in
rhymes.
Heroic verse. See under Heroic.
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Blank \Blank\, a. [OE. blank, blonc, blaunc, blaunche, fr. F.
blanc, fem. blanche, fr. OHG. blanch shining, bright, white,
G. blank; akin to E. blink, cf. also AS. blanc white. ?98.
See Blink, and cf. 1st Blanch.]
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1. Of a white or pale color; without color.
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To the blank moon
Her office they prescribed. --Milton.
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2. Free from writing, printing, or marks; having an empty
space to be filled in with some special writing; -- said
of checks, official documents, etc.; as, blank paper; a
blank check; a blank ballot.
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3. Utterly confounded or discomfited.
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Adam . . . astonied stood, and blank. --Milton.
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4. Empty; void; without result; fruitless; as, a blank space;
a blank day.
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5. Lacking characteristics which give variety; as, a blank
desert; a blank wall; destitute of interests, affections,
hopes, etc.; as, to live a blank existence; destitute of
sensations; as, blank unconsciousness.
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6. Lacking animation and intelligence, or their associated
characteristics, as expression of face, look, etc.;
expressionless; vacant. "Blank and horror-stricken faces."
--C. Kingsley.
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The blank . . . glance of a half returned
consciousness. --G. Eliot.
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7. Absolute; downright; unmixed; as, blank terror.
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Blank bar (Law), a plea put in to oblige the plaintiff in
an action of trespass to assign the certain place where
the trespass was committed; -- called also common bar.
Blank cartridge, a cartridge containing no ball.
Blank deed. See Deed.
Blank door, or Blank window (Arch.), a depression in a
wall of the size of a door or window, either for
symmetrical effect, or for the more convenient insertion
of a door or window at a future time, should it be needed.
Blank indorsement (Law), an indorsement which omits the
name of the person in whose favor it is made; it is
usually made by simply writing the name of the indorser on
the back of the bill.
Blank line (Print.), a vacant space of the breadth of a
line, on a printed page; a line of quadrats.
Blank tire (Mech.), a tire without a flange.
Blank tooling. See Blind tooling, under Blind.
Blank verse. See under Verse.
Blank wall, a wall in which there is no opening; a dead
wall.
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