A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

versum (adv.), versus (adv. and prep. with acc.): placed usually after the name of a place to which motion is directed: see adversum (adv., prep. with acc.);

1. (adv.) towards, turned in the direction of, usu. after the name of a place to which motion is directed;

- margine basis pinnarum acroscopica ad paginam abaxialem versus saepe subplicata, with the margin of the base of the pinnae acroscopic, often subplicate on the abaxial side.

- in loculum versus, toward the locule [loculum = acc. sg. of loculus].

- vertices sphaerularum jucundo picti colore roseo versus rubrum vergente (S&A), the tops of the sphaerules pleasingly painted with a rose-colore verging toward the red.

- [moss] foliis color lete viridis, subtus et ad circumferentiam nonnullis in luteo rutilantem versus, (Hedw.), the color bright green, some below and on the periphery in yellow [color] verging toward reddish-orange.

2. prep. with acc.: towards [Romam versus, towards Rome]

- apicem (basem) versus, towards the apex (base).

- folia apicem versus caudicis elongata, leaves toward the apex of the trunk elongate.

- frondibus basem versus paulatim decrescentibus, with the fronds toward the base gradually diminishing (narrowing).

- [Asclepias] nectaria quinque, cingentia genitalia, quorum singula oblique extrorsum aurita, e cujus fundo corniculum acutum, versus genitalia inflexum (Linn.), nectaries five, surrounding the genitalia, each one of which on the outside obliquely auriculate, from the base of which an acute corniculum [i.e. with a small horn-like appendage], inflexed toward the genitalia.

NOTE: in English (derived from the L. preposition), ‘versus’ = against; in contrast to or as the alternative of, abbr. ‘v,’ ‘vs’ [no period]” (after WIII); see adversum (adv., prep. with acc.).

3. in combination with other adverbs:

- deorsum versus, downwards (from above).

- quoquoversus, in every direction.

- sursum versus, upwards (from below).

NOTE: Lewis and Short in a note indicate that versus was not a preposition in the classical period. The noun that preceeds the adv. 'versus' is in the acc. (the prep. 'ad' being understood).