[f. CONVERSE v., (1600; orig., like the vb., stressed conve·rse.]
† 1. Intercourse; = CONVERSATION 2, 3. Obs. exc. in certain expressions now referred to 3.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, III. vi. (1611), 103. The mutuall conuerse of humane Society.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., I. 50. Enfeebled with the continual conuerse of women.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 378. By converse or copulation.
1653. H. More, Antid. Ath., II. iv. (1712), 51. Sociableness or love of Converse.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (1849), II. ix. 202. Free converse, traffic, and commerce.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 175, ¶ 16. Thus numerous are the dangers to which the converse of mankind exposes us.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. vii. 205. Converse with the world will do more for you.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, I. v. I have returned from the converse of the streets as from a forgotten dream.
† b. Formerly with a and pl. Obs.
1660. Ingelo, Bentiv. & Ur., II. (1682), 113. God … nourish’d it by a Converse with the first Man whom he made.
1676. Glanvill, Seas. Refl., 176. Thus we dress ourselves for publique converses.
† 2. Familiar engagement or occupation (with things); = CONVERSATION 4. Obs.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., VII. 347. Dwelling … in a carnal converse with these sacramental symbols.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Warres, 199. Long Experience, and continual Converse among Troubles.
1665–6. Phil. Trans., I. 114. A strange Diver, by his continual converse in water, degenerated.
1725. J. Reynolds, View of Death (1735), 2. T’ abandon all that’s dear … My friends and studies too, And all my known converses here.
3. Familiar interchange of thoughts; discourse, talk; = CONVERSATION 7. Now poetic or rhet.
(Quot. 1604 may belong to 1.)
[1604. Shaks., Oth., III. i. 40. A meane to draw the Moore Out of the way, that your conuerse and businesse May be more free.]
1614. R. Taylor, Hog lost Pearl, I. i. It [Latin] is so much my often converse, that if there be none but women in my company, yet cannot I forbear it.
1650. S. Clarke, Eccl. Hist., I. (1654), 171. Upon converse, finding his sufficiency, he inquired the cause of his voyage.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XV. 355. Sweet is thy converse to each Social ear.
1859. Tennyson, Geraint & Enid, 520. And told her all their converse in the hall.
1888. Burgon, Lives 12 Gd. Men, II. xii. 416. His converse at such seasons was always elevating.
† b. Formerly with a and pl. Obs.
1647. W. Browne, trans. Polexander, II. 113. In this manner ended the first converse between Z. and A.
1669. Woodhead, St. Teresa, II. vii. 61. It will be difficult in these converses not to talk of secular matters.
1672. Cave, Prim. Chr., I. iii. (1673), 37. By daily converses build them up and make them better.
1798. S. Rogers, Ep. to Friend, 99. Still prompt to charm with many a converse sweet.
c. Interchange of thoughts otherwise than by speech.
1758. S. Hayward, Serm., p. xi. The leading topics of our epistolary converse.
1865. Tylor, Early Hist. Man., iii. 35. The same signs [i.e., gestures] serve as a medium of converse.
4. Spiritual or mental intercourse; communion.
1668. Howe, Bless. Righteous (1825), 87. In the wonted course of our converses with God.
1678. R. Barclay, Apol. Quakers, ii. § 7. 32. Gods Converse with Man … was by the immediate manifestation of his Spirit.
1750. Shenstone, Rural Elegance, 217. With Nature here high converse hold.
a. 1831. A. Knox, Rem. (1844), I. 74. A person who is much occupied in inward converse with God.
1872. Holland, Marb. Proph., 10. In converse with the thoughts of manlier men.
† 5. Manner of life, ‘conversation.’ Obs.
c. 1660. South, Serm. 1 Kings xiii. 33. The true Worship of God, and the Converse of those that use it.
1702. Echard, Eccl. Hist. (1710), 28. To be avoided in all affairs of civil society and converse, as … persons of infectious converse.
