The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
prose
(noun) ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
prose
(noun) matter of fact, commonplace, or dull expression
Source: WordNet® 3.1
prose (usually uncountable, plural proses)
Language, particularly written language, not intended as poetry.
Language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
(Roman Catholicism) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass.
• poetry, verse
prose (third-person singular simple present proses, present participle prosing, simple past and past participle prosed)
To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
• OPers., Peros, Perso-, S'pore, Soper, Spero, opers, pores, poser, preso, reops, repos, ropes, soper, spore
Source: Wiktionary
Prose, n. Etym: [F. prose, L. prosa, fr. prorsus, prosus, straight forward, straight on, for proversus; pro forward + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.]
1. 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.
2. Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
3. (R. C. Ch.)
Definition: A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.
Prose, a.
1. Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.
2. Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.
Prose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Prosing.]
1. To write in prose.
2. To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
Prose, v. i.
1. To write prose. Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter. Milton.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
28 May 2025
(noun) a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing; “an air of mystery”; “the house had a neglected air”; “an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate’s headquarters”; “the place had an aura of romance”
The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.