arse verse

I. a Tuscan-Latin incantation against fire: ARSE VERSE averte ignem significat, Paul. ex Fest. p. 18 Müll. (cf. Plin. 28, 2, 4, § 20). A pure Tuscan inscr. found at Cortona with this formula reads: ARSES. VVRSES. SETHLANL., etc., i. e. Ignem averte, Vulcane, Inscr. Orell. 1384.