means straightforward speaking or writing (Latin, oratio prosa- i e proversa), in opposition to foot-bound speaking or writing, oratio vincta (fettered speech- i e poetry)
The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing; language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; contradistinguished from verse, or metrical composition
Prose is ordinary written language, in contrast to poetry. Shute's prose is stark and chillingly unsentimental poetry, verse. written language in its usual form, as opposed to poetry (prosa, from prorsus, prosus ). Literary medium distinguished from poetry especially by its greater irregularity and variety of rhythm and its closer correspondence to the patterns of everyday speech. Though it is readily distinguishable from poetry in that it does not treat a line as a formal unit, the significant differences between prose and poetry are of tone, pace, and sometimes subject matter