verset

Verset is a term used to refer to a short verse or a small unit of verse, found in poetry, hymnody, and sacred texts. In French and several other Romance languages, verset denotes a brief verse, often a single line or a short couplet, and can describe either a compact poetic form or a line excerpted from a longer work. The word has been borrowed into English in some literary or scholarly contexts to emphasize brevity or the individuality of a verse.

Etymology and scope: Verset comes from Old French verset, a diminutive of vers, meaning “verse,” itself from Latin versus. The term conveys a sense of a small, self-contained poetic unit, distinct from a longer stanza.

Usage in poetry and liturgy: In poetry, a verset may be a single line or a compact set of lines that functions as a standalone unit within a poem. In liturgical and devotional contexts, versets are short scripture quotations or lines used in prayers, hymns, or readings. In hymns, versets can serve as brief refrain-like lines that punctuate or alternate with longer verses.

Distinctions and notes: A verset is generally shorter than a full stanza and is valued for its conciseness and emphasis. The term is more common in French-language contexts and in English scholarship than in everyday English poetry, where “verse” or “stanza” are more typical terms.

See also: Verse, Stanza, Hymn, Psalm.