1. [n]  ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
2. [n]  matter of fact, commonplace, or dull expression

1. \Prose\, n. [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.) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes
      introduced into the Mass. See {Sequence}.
   

2. \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.
   

3. \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.
   

4. \Prose\, v. i.
   1. To write prose.
            Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter.
                                                  --Milton.
   

1. PROblem Solution Engineering. Numerical problems including differentiation and integration. "Computing in Calculus", J. Thames, Research/Development 26(5) (May 1975).

2. A constraints-and-sequencing system similar to Kaleidoscope. "Reflexive Constraints for Dynamic Knowledge Bases", P. Berlandier et al in Proc First Intl CS Conf '88: AI: Theory and Appls, Dec 1988.