D defs.my
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Entry 8 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Prose

/prōz/ · IPA /ˈpɹoʊz/
01 n. The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing; language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; -- contradistinguished from verse, or…
  1. 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. 2.
    Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
  3. 3.
    A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.(R. C. Ch.) See: Sequence
02 a. Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.
  1. 1.
    Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.
  2. 2.
    Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.
03 v. t. To write in prose.
imp. & p. p. Prosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Prosing
  1. 1.
    To write in prose.
  2. 2.
    To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
04 v. i. To write prose.
  1. 1.
    To write prose.
    “Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter.” — Milton.