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The distance from a point in a curve to the chord; also, the versed sine of an arc; -- so called from its resemblance to an arrow resting on the bow and string. [Obs.]

A collection of vedic hymns, songs, or verses, forming the first part of each Veda.

An advocate of sanitary measures; one especially interested or versed in sanitary measures.

One versed in Sanskrit.

Of or pertaining to Sappho, the Grecian poetess; as, Sapphic odes; Sapphic verse.

Of or pertaining to the planet Saturn; as, the Saturnian year. Saturnian verse (Pros.), a meter employed by early Roman satirists, consisting of three iambics and an extra syllable followed by three trochees, as in the line: --Thê queen | wâs isn | thê kistch | ên eatîng | bread ând | honêy.

A man of learning; one versed in literature or science; a person eminent for acquirements.

One versed in the Saxon language.

Fig.: Harsh; unmusical. [R.] His verse is scabrous and hobbling. Dryden.

Specifically (Pros.), to go through with, as a verse, marking and distinguishing the feet of which it is composed; to show, in reading, the metrical structure of; to recite metrically.

The act of scanning; distinguishing the metrical feet of a verse by emphasis, pauses, or otherwise.

One engaged in the pursuits of learning; a learned person; one versed in many branches, of knowledge; a person of high literary or scientific attainments; a savant. Shak. Locke.

One versed in the niceties of academical disputation or of school divinity.

To cause to become versed in science; to make skilled; to instruct. [R.] Francis.

stinging or biting insect, as a flea, a gnat, a sandly, or the like. Ex. viii. 17 (Douay version).

One who is strongly attached to, or versed in, the Scriptures, or who endeavors to regulate his life by them. The Puritan was a Scripturist with all his heart, if as yet with imperfect intelligence . . . he cherished the scheme of looking to the Word of God as his sole and universal directory. Palfrey.…

Versed; skilled; accomplished. [Obs.] Well seen in every science that mote be. Spenser. Noble Boyle, not less in nature seen, Than his great brother read in states and men. Dryden.

A Greek version of the Old Testament; -- so called because it was believed to be the work of seventy (or rather of seventy-two) translators.

mbol representing seventy units, as 70, or lxx. The Seventy, the translators of the Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint. See Septuagint.

Not deep; having little depth; shoal. "Shallow brooks, and rivers wide." Milton.