Also 7 verst. [ad. L. versātus, pa. pple. of versārī to occupy oneself, be busied or engaged (in something). So F. versé, It. versato, Sp. and Pg. versado.]
1. Of persons: Experienced, practised or skilled in a subject, matter, art, etc.; conversant with, having an intimate knowledge of, something; expert, skilful; = VERSANT a. 2 a.
Very frequent from c. 1630 in this and sense 1 b.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 16. [The bishops of Ely and Exeter] had beene both versed in his Affaires, before hee came to the Crowne.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 24. A Clarke of the works must be verst in the prises of Materials.
1686. trans. Chardin’s Trav. Persia, 34. Levant Merchants, and others that were verst in the Affairs of Turkey.
1712. Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), III. 361. Neither of us being vers’d in Latin.
1769. Junius Lett., xii. (1788), 80. I am not versed in the politics of the north.
1822. W. Irving, Braceb. Hall, xviii. The servants are all versed in the common modes of trying luck.
1843. Mill, Logic, I. i. § 1. A mind not previously versed in the meaning and right use of the various kinds of words.
1880. L. Stephen, Pope, vi. 137. Curll was … versed in every dirty trick of the Grub-street trade.
b. With defining or limiting adverbs, esp. well (better, best) versed.
(a) a. 1610. Healey, Theophrastus, To Rdr. (1616), I 3 b. Such as are well verst in Antiquitie.
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 160. A Physician … must be better versed in his Art before he can do any thing.
1655. Nicholas Papers (Camden), II. 176. He is certainly best versed in all his Majesty’s present affairs.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 108, ¶ 3. He is extreamly well versed in all the little Handicrafts of an idle Man.
1791. Burke, App. Whigs, Wks. 1808, VI. 18. Men [sc. Jews] well versed in swearing.
1825. Cobbett, Rur. Rides, 279. He was very well versed in his prayer-book.
1841. Borrow, Zincali, II. xi. III. 56. Reverend gentlemen … much better versed in the points of a horse than in points of theology.
1874. Burnand, My Time, xxix. 277. Our tutor was sufficiently well versed in his subjects.
(b.) 1634. W. Tirwhyt, trans. Balzac’s Lett., A iv. A man no less versed in the art of well-speaking then himself.
1641. Vind. Smectymnuus, x. 107. He that is but meanly versed in Cyprian.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., III. iv. § 10. Those who profess themselves most versed in their own Antiquities.
a. 1721. Prior, Ess. Learning, ¶ 3. Other parts of general Learning in which they may not be so perfectly versed.
1747. trans. Astruc’s Fevers, 106. He was ill-versed in anatomy, botany and chemistry.
1780. J. Pickering, in Jesse, Selwyn & Contemp. (1844), IV. 356. I wish I was sufficiently versed in politics [etc.].
1815. W. H. Ireland, Scribbleomania, 190. I am not much versed in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
1836. H. Coleridge, North. Worthies, Introd. (1852), p. xxiv. Men long versed in public affairs.
1888. Burgon, Lives 12 Gd. Men, I. iii. 346. He … delivered his opinion … like one thoroughly versed in the law of farms.
c. Without const. rare.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist., XVIII. iii. (1841), II. 214/1. A general … prudent, able, versed by long experience.
1888. Pall Mall G., 23 Feb., 6/1. Observing that Lord Randolph Churchill used to keep the Premier and Foreign Secretary combined in order, which at present there was no one in the Cabinet versed enough or bold enough to do.
† 2. Employed or exercised about something; = VERSANT a. 1. Obs.–1
1654. Vilvain, Theol. Treat., ii. 80. Hope is properly versed about some good to be attained by industry.
