blank verse
無韻詩,自由詩
Verse n.
1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet (see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules.
Note: ☞ Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter, pentameter, tetrameter, etc., according to the number of feet in each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a stanza or strophe.
2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed in metrical form; versification; poetry.
Such prompt eloquence
Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse. --Milton.
Virtue was taught in verse. --Prior.
Verse embalms virtue. --Donne.
3. A short division of any composition. Specifically: --
(a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses.
Note: ☞ Although this use of verse is common, it is objectionable, because not always distinguishable from the stricter use in the sense of a line.
(b) Script. One of the short divisions of the chapters in the Old and New Testaments.
Note: ☞ The author of the division of the Old Testament into verses is not ascertained. The New Testament was divided into verses by Robert Stephens [or Estienne], a French printer. This arrangement appeared for the first time in an edition printed at Geneva, in 1551.
(c) Mus. A portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part.
4. A piece of poetry. “This verse be thine.”
Blank verse, poetry in which the lines do not end in rhymes.
Heroic verse. See under Heroic.
Blank a.
1. Of a white or pale color; without color.
To the blank moon
Her office they prescribed. --Milton.
2. Free from writing, printing, or marks; having an empty space to be filled in with some special writing; -- said of checks, official documents, etc.; as, blank paper; a blank check; a blank ballot.
3. Utterly confounded or discomfited.
Adam . . . astonied stood, and blank. --Milton.
4. Empty; void; without result; fruitless; as, a blank space; a blank day.
5. Lacking characteristics which give variety; as, a blank desert; a blank wall; destitute of interests, affections, hopes, etc.; as, to live a blank existence; destitute of sensations; as, blank unconsciousness.
6. Lacking animation and intelligence, or their associated characteristics, as expression of face, look, etc.; expressionless; vacant. “Blank and horror-stricken faces.”
The blank . . . glance of a half returned consciousness. --G. Eliot.
7. Absolute; downright; unmixed; as, blank terror.
Blank bar Law, a plea put in to oblige the plaintiff in an action of trespass to assign the certain place where the trespass was committed; -- called also common bar.
Blank cartridge, a cartridge containing no ball.
Blank deed. See Deed.
Blank door, or Blank window Arch., a depression in a wall of the size of a door or window, either for symmetrical effect, or for the more convenient insertion of a door or window at a future time, should it be needed.
Blank indorsement Law, an indorsement which omits the name of the person in whose favor it is made; it is usually made by simply writing the name of the indorser on the back of the bill.
Blank line Print., a vacant space of the breadth of a line, on a printed page; a line of quadrats.
Blank tire Mech., a tire without a flange.
Blank tooling. See Blind tooling, under Blind.
Blank verse. See under Verse.
Blank wall, a wall in which there is no opening; a dead wall.
blank verse
n : unrhymed verse (usually in iambic pentameter)