prose
UK: prəʊz | US: proʊz
n. written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure (contrasted with poetry)
n. a dull or unimaginative quality of expression
The word "prose" originates from Latin prosa, an abbreviation of prosa oratio ("straightforward speech"), derived from proversus ("turned forward"). The root pro- ("forward") combined with versus ("to turn") originally referred to unadorned, direct speech—unlike the "turned" (metrical) structure of poetry. Over time, prosa evolved into Old French prose, then Middle English, retaining its core meaning of non-poetic language. The morpheme se (from serere, "to sow") is implied in the Latin origin but no longer transparent in modern English.
Her essays are written in clear, elegant prose.
The novel's prose felt flat and uninspired.
Legal documents often use dense prose.
He prefers poetry to prose for emotional expression.
The professor criticized the student's verbose prose.