Vers

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Pronunciation: /vɝs/

Definitions

1. To change or alter the direction, position, or focus of something in various contexts; to translate or express in another language or form; to take the opposite side or viewpoint in an argument or situation
2. To shift or turn from one state, condition, or perspective to another; to convert text or speech from one language or style to a different one; to switch allegiance or present a contrasting opinion
3. To adjust, reverse, or adapt by turning toward a different angle or interpretation; to render words into an alternative linguistic or artistic version; to oppose or counteract by adopting a contrary stance or role

Etymology: The English "verse" comes from Latin "versus", meaning a turning, from "vertere", "to turn". The image is of the plough: a furrow was completed and the ox turned back at the end of the row, and early Latin writers applied the same word to a line of writing, which was likewise a row that ended and began again. The sense shift from literal turning to poetic line happened in Latin before English ever borrowed the word. Old French passed it on as "vers", and English took it in with the meaning of a line of metrical composition. The word also came to name a short numbered division of a text, which is why a modern Bible verse still carries the name.