Prose Definition

prōz
prosed, proses, prosing
noun
The ordinary form of written or spoken language, without rhyme or meter; speech or writing, sometimes, specif., nonfictional writing, that is not poetry.
Webster's New World
Dull, commonplace talk, expression, quality, etc.
Webster's New World
A hymn of irregular meter sung before the Gospel.
American Heritage
Language, particularly written language, not intended as poetry.
Though known mostly for her prose, she also produced a small body of excellent poems.
Wiktionary
Antonyms:
verb
To write prose.
American Heritage
To speak, write, or express (one's thoughts, etc.) in prose or in a prosaic way.
Webster's New World
To speak or write in a dull, tiresome style.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
adjective
Of or in prose.
Webster's New World
Dull; unimaginative; commonplace; prosaic.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Prose

Noun

Singular:
prose
Plural:
proses

Origin of Prose

  • Used in English since 1330, from Old French prose, the Latin word prōsa (“straightforward") from the term prōsa ōrātio (“a straightforward speech- i.e. without the ornaments of verse"). The term prōsa (“straightforward") is a colloquial form of prorsa (“straight forwards") which is the feminine form of prorsus (“straight forwards"), from Old Latin prōvorsus (“moving straight ahead"), from pro- (“forward") + turned, form of vertō (“I turn"). Compare verse.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old French from Latin prōsa (ōrātiō) straightforward (discourse) feminine of prōsus alteration of prōrsus from prōversus past participle of prōvertere to turn forward prō- forward pro–1 vertere to turn wer-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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