Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- enthusiasm or vigor, as in literary or artistic work; spirit: Her latest novel lacks verve.
- vivaciousness; liveliness; animation: I like a teacher with plenty of verve.
- Archaic. talent.
noun
- great vitality, enthusiasm, and liveliness; sparkle
- a rare word for talent
1690s, “special talent in writing,” from French verve “enthusiasm” (especially pertaining to the arts), in Old French “caprice, odd humor, proverb” (12c.), probably from Gallo-Romance *verva, from Latin verba “(whimsical) words,” plural of verbum “word” (see verb). Meaning “mental vigor” is first recorded 1803.