rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: vertere
Latin

vertere

turn

Forms

  • vert-
  • vers- — Latin stem of the form meaning ‘turned.’

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *wer-, ‘turn; bend.’

Note

Turning can change direction, allegiance, or a state of affairs.

42 / 43
noun

verso

VUR-soh/ˈvɜːrsəʊ/

The reverse side of a book leaf, usually the left-hand page when open.

The highlighted left-hand page is the verso of the book leaf.

Open book viewed from above; left page softly highlighted pale blue while right page plain cream; no writing anywhere.
Etymology
versoLatinturn

Turning a leaf reveals its reverse side. Verso names that back face, which is the left-hand page when a book is open.

More examples

  • The verso of this leaf is blank.
  • A handwritten note covers the verso of the final leaf.
  • Even page numbers usually appear on versos.

Forms

verso · versos

Similar words

reverse
Names the opposite side, not specifically of a book leaf.
back
An everyday term, less specific to individual book leaves.