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.
Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.
Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.
Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.
To write in prose.
To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
To write prose. Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter. Milton.
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