verse

Definition

A poetic form with regular meter and a fixed rhyme scheme.

Etymology

From Middle English vers, from a mixture of Old English fers and Old French vers; both from Latin versus (“a line in writing, and in poetry a verse; (originally) row, furrow”), from vertō (“to turn around”).

Example Sentences

• "Restoration literature is well known for its carefully constructed verse."
• "The restrictions of verse have steadily been relaxed over time."
• "Note the shift in tone between the first verse and the second."